Macedonia has made a dramatic leap in global cybersecurity rankings, climbing 29 positions to 30th place out of 155 ranked countries and territories in the latest edition of the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI). The country scored 84.17 out of a possible 100 points, placing it among nations with a high level of preparedness to prevent cyber threats and manage cyber incidents. The index, developed by Estonia’s e-Governance Academy, evaluates countries across 49 indicators in 12 areas, including legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms and evidence of practically implemented measures.
Macedonia achieved maximum scores in several categories, including cybersecurity policies, protection of critical information infrastructure, education and professional development, personal data protection, cyber incident response and the fight against cybercrime. The improvement from 59th place in 2023, when the country scored 58.44 points, represents one of the most significant advances recorded in the index.
Reforms Drive Macedonia’s Cybersecurity Improvement
The transformation has been driven by a comprehensive reform agenda led by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, established in 2024 as one of the government’s three strategic pillars alongside digital services delivery and institutional interoperability. Minister Stefan Andonovski, who took office in June 2024, described the 29 position improvement as international confirmation that the country’s reforms are producing measurable results. Key measures include the adoption of the Law on Security of Network and Information Systems, the Cybersecurity Strategy 2025–2028 and its accompanying Action Plan, as well as new national coordination mechanisms and stronger capacities for reporting and managing cyber incidents.
The new legal framework defines the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s responsibilities for network and information systems security while introducing requirements for cyber risk management and incident reporting. Andonovski has described cybersecurity as “building a bridge” rather than “building a bunker,” arguing that digital protection should support innovation and economic development rather than unnecessarily restrict it.
The NCSI ranking places Macedonia ahead of several European Union member states and reflects broader digital development trends across the Western Balkans. Albania and the Czech Republic currently share the top global position with a score of 98.33, followed by Canada and Estonia. Macedonia’s progress also supports its ambitions to become a regional digital hub, with extensive fiber optic coverage, around 1,500 IT graduates annually and significant energy and water resources that could help attract data center and artificial intelligence investments.
Macedonia is also cooperating with Ukraine and Poland on the development of a national super app for electronic services, drawing inspiration from platforms such as Ukraine’s Diia. However, the NCSI data also identifies areas where further progress is needed. The country’s military cyber operations score remains at just 17%, with no dedicated cyber operations unit and no exercises conducted in the past three years. Its 84th place ranking in the UN E-Government Development Index also indicates that digital public services have not advanced at the same pace as cybersecurity protections.
The Ministry has said it will continue implementing the national cybersecurity strategy and action plan, with priorities including stronger institutional capabilities, professional training, greater awareness among citizens and businesses, and deeper international cooperation. For a country of roughly 1.8 million people positioned along important European energy and transport corridors, Macedonia’s cybersecurity improvement represents both a significant achievement and a reminder that protecting digital infrastructure is becoming as strategically important as building the infrastructure itself.
