Günün Yemeği

The “1st Samsun Cybersecurity Summit,” organized in cooperation with Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), the Orta Karadeniz Kalkınma Ajansı, and the Samsun İl Emniyet Müdürlüğü, was held at the OMU Atatürk Congress and Culture Center (AKM). Bringing together representatives from the public sector, academia, law, and industry, the summit addressed cybersecurity through its multidimensional aspects.

The opening program was attended by Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, OMU Rector Fatma Aydın, Presidency of Defence Industries Head of Cybersecurity and Information Systems Department Murat Çizgel, Samsun Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Mustafa Bakçepınar, Vice Rectors Alper Kesten, Çetin Kurnaz, and Ayşe Pınar Sumer, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Turgut Türkmen, Türkiye Cyber Homeland Program Technical Coordinator Muhammed Temli, Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Salih Zeki Murzioğlu, as well as numerous academics, students, and sector representatives.

Rector Aydın: “Information has become a core element of national security”

Speaking at the summit, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın drew attention to the security dimension of digital transformation. “In today’s digital age, information is no longer merely a tool of production; it has become a source of power, an area of influence, and even a fundamental component of national security,” she said, emphasizing that while this transformation offers major opportunities, it also brings serious risks.

Highlighting the scale of contemporary cyber threats, Aydın continued:

“Wars are no longer fought only on land, in the air, or at sea; they are also carried out through keyboards, algorithms, and data centers. A country’s energy systems, banking infrastructure, transportation networks, healthcare services, and defense mechanisms can all be targeted in cyberspace. Therefore, cybersecurity is not merely an IT issue; it is a fundamental element of national sovereignty, economic stability, and social well-being. Cybersecurity is not a matter of the future; it is a matter of today.”

Dr. Çetin: “Cybersecurity concerns every aspect of life”

Head of the Information Security Technology Department and advisor to the SİBERAY Community, Dr. Lecturer İsmail Çetin, addressed the societal dimension of cybersecurity. “Digitalization now encompasses almost every area of our lives. Accordingly, cybersecurity is not only a technical issue; it is a core concern in terms of public safety, sectoral security, family security, and personal privacy. This summit is not just an event but also an important beginning,” he stated. Dr. Çetin also emphasized that the SİBERAY Community, established through cooperation between the Samsun Provincial Police Department and the OMU Information Security Technology Department, serves as a concrete example of collaboration between academia, public institutions, and students.

Expert presentations on cybersecurity

Following the opening speeches, Presidency of Defence Industries Head of Cybersecurity and Information Systems Department Murat Çizgel delivered a presentation titled “Localization Strategy in Cybersecurity.” He discussed Türkiye’s strategic approach to developing domestic and national technologies in cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of cooperation among public institutions, the defense industry, academia, and the private sector. Çizgel underlined the significance of local software and hardware solutions in protecting critical infrastructure and stressed the need to train qualified human resources, achieve technological independence, and establish a sustainable security ecosystem.

Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Turgut Türkmen evaluated the legal, economic, and psychological impacts of cybercrime on individuals, drawing attention to the increase in fraud, personal data breaches, and online crimes. He emphasized the importance of awareness, legal processes, and interinstitutional cooperation in combating such crimes.

Türkiye Cyber Homeland Program Technical Coordinator Muhammed Temli provided information about the program’s efforts to train qualified human resources in cybersecurity and outlined its education, talent development, and career support initiatives.

Attorney Kudsi Furkan Kaya from the Samsun Bar Association addressed the legal aspects of data breaches and the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), explaining legal obligations related to personal data protection, procedures to follow in case of violations, and applicable sanctions, while noting that legal awareness is an integral part of cybersecurity.

As part of the summit program, a panel session held in the afternoon addressed cybersecurity from multiple perspectives across the public sector, law, academia, and practice. The panel was moderated by Necip Aydıner, Founding Member of the Association for Industrial and Social Development.

Awareness and interaction-focused activities

During the summit, promotional activities were carried out by the SİBERAY Community and the Information Security Technology Department. In the foyer area, awareness-raising events, competitions, and raffles were organized to enhance cybersecurity awareness.

The 1st Samsun Cybersecurity Summit concluded as an event that underscored cybersecurity as one of the strategic fields of today and the future and contributed to strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation.