The 9th edition of the e-Safe Cybersecurity Summit, organized this year with the main theme “Career in Cybersecurity,” was held under the auspices of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority. The summit, attended by Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, brought together experts in the field of cybersecurity, industry stakeholders, and students.
Speaking at the event, Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, stated that with the strengthening of information technologies day by day, individuals, companies, critical infrastructures, and states have become targets of cyber attackers.
Karagözoğlu said, “When we look at cyber threat profiles, ransomware and DDoS attacks rank at the top, followed by threats targeting data security, social engineering attacks, disinformation attacks, supply chain attacks, and other malware.”
Stating that on average, one in every three cyber attacks is carried out by individuals connected to the attacked entity, Karagözoğlu explained, “Phishing attacks aimed at accessing users' sensitive and confidential information account for more than 90% of cyber attacks. Malware disrupts the functions of computers and mobile devices, collecting critical information. Botnet attacks allow computers and devices to be controlled by malicious actors. Spyware collects data from computers without the user's permission or knowledge and transmits it to third parties. System infrastructures are targeted with denial-of-service attacks. All these cyber attacks disrupt the order of individuals, industries, and nations, while also causing material damage.”
Emphasizing that cyberspace is now regarded as the 5th battlefield and that meeting cybersecurity needs with domestic and national solutions has become a necessity, Karagözoğlu stated, “In this context, the National Cyber Incident Response Center (USOM) established under our Institution, along with Cyber Incident Response Teams (SOME), protects our cyber homeland through our 24/7 operations, day and night without interruption.”
Expressing that in addition to domestic and national software, trained human resources are one of the most important assets in ensuring national cybersecurity, Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by saying, “We are continuing our efforts at full speed to ensure all stakeholders acquire the necessary training and experience. For capacity building, we regularly conduct activities such as cybersecurity exercises, competitions, and trainings under USOM and BTK Academy.”
The event's opening concluded with a plaque presentation ceremony.