BACKGROUND

Based on the law nr. 8457, date 11.2.1999, “On Classified Information “state secret””, changed with the law nr. 9541, date 22.5.2006, ” On some amendments and changes in the law nr. 8457, date 11.2.1999, “On classified information “state secret””, is established the Classified Information Security Directorate.

Based on the decree nr. 377, date 31.5.2001, of the Council of Ministers, the Classified Information Security Directorate is National Security Authority (NSA) in relation with NATO, other international organizations and foreign countries.

The structure of the Classified Information Security Directorate (NSA), (temporary structure with 3 persons), was approved by the Prime Minister, on Feb.14, 2001.

After the preparation and approval, by the Council of Ministers, of the decrees on classified information, based on the law nr. 8457, date 11.2.1999, “On Classified Information “state secret””, changed with the law nr. 9541, date 22.5.2006, ” On some amendments and changes in the law nr.8457, date 11.2.1999, “On classified information “state secret””, the Prime Minister approved the full structure and staff of the Classified Information Security Directorate (NSA), on Sep.12, 2006.

On Sep.12, 2006, the Prime Minister approved the actual structure and staff of the Classified Information Security Directorate (NSA).

The employees of the NSA enjoy the “civil employee status”. Their recruitment is made through competition procedures and taking into consideration the fulfillment of the Security Clearance procedures for access to the classified information “state secret”.

NSA has cooperative relations with NATO structures and National Security Authorities of NATO members and partners.

NSA prepares, negotiates and signs the Security Agreements between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the governments of other countries.

MISSION

In order to organize, conduct and control the measures to the classified information protection, classification and administration is established the Classified Information Security Directorate (CISD), in the Council of Ministers. Its Director is nominated by the Prime Minister.
CISD Tasks:
1. Compiles policies, programmes and procedures for the classified information security and controls their execution by the institutions. Recommends to the institutions officials the taking of the quick and appropriate measures to correct the noticed breaches.
2. Supervises the regulations of physical, military and electronic security to the classified information and ADP system and network where the information is stored, administrated and processed.
3. Compiles procedures for classification, marking, training and education principles and compiles regulations for the classification and declassification. Makes the review of every institution program, requires reports from these institutions and cooperates to  accomplish the responsibilities.
4. Certifies the personnel who will administrate the classified information.
5. Informs, at least one time in six months, the Prime Minister for the above issues.
6. Proposes to the Council of Ministers normative acts for questions relevant to the classified information handling.
7. Examines the institutions requests for classification authority, which don`t have it, and if it is available, proposes to the Prime Minister for approval.

The CISD organization and structure is regulated by normative acts.