Turkey has become a role model country in the UN Global Cybersecurity Index.

Turkey has entered the "role model" country list among 194 countries evaluated in the United Nations (UN) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index, receiving full points in all areas with its efforts in the field of cybersecurity. According to the 2025 Presidential Annual Program, as of August, 59% of the 10,888 companies located in technology development zones in Turkey and 18% of the 1,323 R&D centers operate in the field of information and communication technologies.

UNIVERSITIES WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO CYBERSECURITY

In order to ensure the development and integration of the cybersecurity sector, efforts are ongoing to include universities in the creation of a broad-based sector ecosystem in collaboration with the Presidency of Defense Industries and the TÜBİTAK Cybersecurity Institute. These efforts aim to develop and support individual R&D activities and initiatives in the field of cybersecurity in an integrated and collaborative manner.

255 COMPANIES ARE ACTIVE IN THE CLUSTER

As of September, 255 companies, 401 products, and 649 services are operating within the Turkey Cybersecurity Cluster, which is coordinated by the Presidency's Digital Transformation Office and the Defense Industries Presidency.

Turkey's structuring and efforts in the field of cybersecurity are also being closely monitored internationally.

According to the UN ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, Turkey was among the "Level One Model Countries" in the evaluation process involving 194 countries. This year, the ITU transitioned from a ranking structure to a leveling structure. Countries were evaluated and ranked based on legal regulations, legal arrangements, technical infrastructure, organizational structure, capacity development, and inter-institutional cooperation. Turkey received a full score of 20 in all areas, placing it at the highest level among "model countries."

"TURKEY HAS ACHIEVED A STRONG ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE"

Mustafa Afyonluoğlu, Senior Expert on Cybersecurity, e-Governance, and e-State, told AA correspondent that with 2,304 Cyber Incident Response Centers (SOMEs) and 14 sectoral SOMEs, which are the backbone of institutional cooperation in cybersecurity, Turkey has achieved a very strong organizational structure. Emphasizing that the "2024-2028 National Cybersecurity Strategy and Action Plan," prepared for the fourth time this year, will ensure that cybersecurity goals are addressed holistically across the country, Afyonluoğlu stated, "Especially considering the importance of cybersecurity in critical infrastructures, rather than the relevant articles in the Electronic Communications Law, it would be more effective to regulate it as a separate law, which would bring a stronger legal infrastructure related to this area."