The "5th e-Safe Cybersecurity Summit," which addressed potential cyberattacks around the world and in Turkey, was held at the Information Technologies and Communication Authority.
The program was conducted in a hybrid format. Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, who participated in the organization where all topics related to cybersecurity were discussed, stated that technological developments also increase cybersecurity risks. Emphasizing that this problem has intensified even more during the pandemic process, Sayan said, “What actually ensures the continuity of our lives during this challenging pandemic process is the information and communication infrastructure and technologies, along with the correct and strong investments we have made to date. I would like to express with satisfaction that our country has made significant progress in digital transformation today through the strong investments it has made in fixed, mobile, and satellite communication infrastructure. Our investments continue unabated towards further developing our electronic communication infrastructures.”
Drawing attention to the fact that every technological development brings risks along with benefits, Sayan stated, “Cybersecurity, by its nature, is an interdisciplinary concept that must be addressed from technical, social, and legal perspectives. Therefore, competent human resources who are experts in these fields, as well as national and international collaborations and coordinated efforts, are of vital importance in ensuring national cybersecurity. With the vision of having a securely functioning cyber environment in our country and becoming a brand in cybersecurity on the international stage, our National Cybersecurity Strategy and Action Plan for 2020-2023, published with the signature of our President, places the protection of critical infrastructures and increasing resilience, along with developing national capacity, among our most fundamental objectives. Due to the border-transcending nature of cybersecurity, international cooperation is one of the key elements we attach great importance to in this area.”
Deputy Minister Sayan: 5G Will Guide All Sectors
5G was also on Sayan’s agenda. Noting that every country with ambitions in the world today attaches great importance to 5G, Sayan said, “Today, many countries like ours are conducting studies and making investments in 5G. It is expected that approximately 20% of subscriptions worldwide will be 5G subscribers within the next 5 years. We can already see that this momentum will increase further with artificial intelligence applications and that these technologies will be present in every aspect of our lives. With this awareness, we are continuing on our path with the goal of not being a user of technology, but a leader in technology. While seeing the fruits of our steps makes us happy on one hand, we are also aware that there is an endless competitive environment on the path we have embarked on.”
Stating that 5G will guide all sectors, Sayan added that the Ministry is working to transition to 5G with domestic and national capabilities.
Chairman Karagözoğlu: Cyberattacks Are Shifting Towards Large Companies, Governments, and Critical Infrastructures
Information Technologies and Communication Authority Chairman Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also spoke about research on the impact of COVID-19 on cybercrime. Noting that cyberattack targets are moving away from individuals and small businesses, Karagözoğlu said, “Cyberattacks are shifting towards large companies, governments, and critical infrastructures. Attackers targeting organizations and businesses using remote systems and networks to support remote-working personnel are exploiting increasing security vulnerabilities to steal data, gain profit, and cause disruptions.”
Mentioning the measures taken and studies conducted by BTK against cyber threats during the pandemic process, Karagözoğlu listed USOM’s preventive measures as follows:
We have published the “Measures for Remote Access Services” document, the document on measures against phishing attacks themed “Coronavirus” and “COVID-19” and fake applications in this scope, and a recommendation document containing cybersecurity precautions to be taken in the use of videoconferencing and meeting software.
Expressing that they also used domestic and national applications during the pandemic process, Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by saying, “Using artificial intelligence technologies, 750 fake conference applications and 25,380 vulnerabilities in remote management services have been detected. Institutions and organizations accessing malicious links blocked by USOM through the sinkhole application are being identified and informed. 119 malicious software analyses related to COVID-19 and information on 569 malicious software have been shared with SOMEs. 1,657 malicious droppers and command-and-control centers related to COVID-19 have been blocked. Our efforts to combat cyber threats continue without slowing down. As BTK, we believe that cybersecurity should be ensured from the design stage. For this reason, we are conducting studies to pave the way for domestic and national productions in new technologies.”