Capacities of Western Balkan Economies (and Their Public Sectors) to Respond to Ransomware Attacks**

Ransomware became a global cybersecurity threat affecting not only individuals and private companies, but governments and other public bodies. The paper will firstly introduce the concept of ransomware and emphasize the implications of the global rise of ransomware. Secondly, the paper will provide an overview of the regulatory framework in relation to Ransomware in Western Balkan (WB) economies (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia), while an ethical and practical guidance will be proposed. Then, the paper will briefly present Western Balkan Case Studies, including recent key ransomware attacks occurred in the region. Lastly, the paper will provide recommendations regarding prevention and recovery from the ransom attack focusing on WB region.