Türkiye has taken a significant step to combat cyber threats by establishing a dedicated Cybersecurity Directorate. Announced via a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday, the new agency will spearhead the nation’s efforts in safeguarding its digital infrastructure.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
The Cybersecurity Directorate will operate under the directives of the newly formed Cybersecurity Board, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The board will also include high-ranking officials from ministries such as Interior, Justice, National Defense, Transport and Infrastructure, and Industry and Technology.
This new agency will:
- Develop policies, strategies, and objectives to enhance national cybersecurity.
- Prepare actionable plans and implement cybersecurity initiatives.
- Coordinate efforts across the public and private sectors and foster collaboration with universities.
- Support the protection of critical information infrastructures through targeted projects.
Comprehensive Cybersecurity Road Map
The establishment of the Cybersecurity Directorate follows the government’s announcement of a detailed road map last year to strengthen cybersecurity measures and safeguard the nation’s information infrastructure.
Government Statements on Cybersecurity Initiative
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz expressed optimism about the agency’s potential impact, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“I hope the Cybersecurity Directorate, which is established to prevent cyber threats to our country and to ensure the necessary coordination between institutions in this field, will be beneficial to our nation.”
The initiative reflects Türkiye’s commitment to addressing the growing challenges posed by cyber threats and ensuring the safety and resilience of its digital landscape.