The Information Technologies and Communication Authority did not break the tradition and started its iftar programs this year as well. At the iftar dinners organized with the contributions of BTK Academy, leading representatives of the communication and telecommunications sector and students were hosted.
The iftar programs, organized with the contributions of Palo Alto Networks, Samsung, the Access Providers Association, and NETAŞ, were attended by Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, senior executives from the sector, and numerous students.
Speaking at the programs, Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, made evaluations on developments in the communication sector, domestic and national production, cybersecurity, and similar topics.
Emphasizing the importance of domestic and national production in technology production, Karagözoğlu stated, “As an institution, we are taking significant steps to contribute to our country's ‘National Technology Initiative’ vision. From producing domestic and national solutions in 5G technology to artificial intelligence and space technologies, we are signing projects that make a splash on the international stage in many areas. In this process, we reach our goals faster with strong collaborations and innovative approaches. In this regard, we trust our youth the most and support them.”
Karagözoğlu said, “Today, if you do not have a domestic and national cybersecurity, it means you are open to all infrastructure attacks. The data says the same thing. You must have heard the phrase ‘Data is the oil of our time’ frequently. Our data is also a national asset, and it is essential to have a strong cybersecurity infrastructure to protect it. Our National Cyber Incident Response Center (USOM) and Cyber Incident Response Teams (SOME), operating under our institution, are on duty 24/7. Under the USOM umbrella, we detect potential threats, analyze them, and take precautions.”
Stating that education is the most important link in the goal of a Turkey that leads technology, produces it, and increases its added value with its own brainpower, Karagözoğlu said, “At this point, with BTK Academy, which has exceeded 2.5 million users; we offer free training to a large number of our youth on artificial intelligence, coding, programming, and software, both face-to-face at our main campus and online for those who cannot access these trainings, striving to reach everyone who demands it, especially children and young people from all corners of our country.”
Within the scope of the organized iftar programs, gifts were given to students who ranked in the competition held by BTK Academy via the Kahoot application.
The iftar programs, hosted by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, will continue to be held throughout the month of Ramadan.