Moldova in the Digital Age

Building a Resilient Cyber Apparatus

Moldova continues to face a high-intensity hybrid war, including a significant increase in malign cyber activity and incursions. This necessitates increasing focus on the development of cyber resilience, which would also support the continued efforts of the Moldovan government to digitize more systems and the ongoing growth of the country's technology sector. Moldova’s data and cybersecurity policy efforts have not kept pace with the development and use of digital infrastructure, further complicating the challenge of counteracting the cyber aspects of the ongoing high-intensity hybrid war. Strategic and deliberate investments made in Moldova over the next five years thus have an enormous potential for return.

Given the importance of the topic, this report provides an overview of Moldova’s recent digitization journey. This paper provides a deeper dive into the technology sector, including Moldova’s efforts to increase digital literacy and to strengthen human capital, as well as its e-governance efforts. Moreover, this piece outlines the country’s current cybersecurity landscape, including some specific risks and opportunities as well as the support Moldova’s partners and allies are delivering in this space. Most importantly, this piece includes key policy recommendations to strengthen the sector in support of securing Moldova’s democratic and economic future.

This report is made possible by support from the U.S. Agency for International Development. 

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Photo: CSIS
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Daniel F. Runde
Senior Vice President; William A. Schreyer Chair; Director, Project on Prosperity and Development
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Leah Kieff
Senior Associate (Non-resident), Project on Prosperity and Development
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Thomas Bryja
Program Manager and Research Associate, Project on Prosperity and Development