‘European Cybersecurity Protection Alliance’ Summit Gathered in Ankara
The European Cybersecurity Protection Alliance (CYSPA) identifying European Union’s cybersecurity policies gathered in Ankara on February 17th under the leadership of Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş (STM). Within the scope of the CYSPA project with STM as the only Turkish member of the alliance, senior cybersecurity experts from both governmental bodies and private sector examined the development of cybersecurity as the greatest threat of our times and offered their solutions. The speakers stated that they were in a limitless field of cyber threats and emphasized the necessity of association in the struggle against such threats. High level representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs And Communications, Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, Information and Communication Technologies Authority, General Directorate of Security, Financial Crimes Investigation Board, European Organization for Security, European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), Turkish Information Security Association, Turkish Airlines (THY), TÜRKSAT made crucial statements on cybersecurity issue during the event.
In the opening speech of the event Mr. Davut Yılmaz, General Manager of STM mentioned that the cyber-attacks grew to become as destructive as the real-life attacks and added that the cyber threats covered a wide range from citizens to governments. Yılmaz said, “Cyber-attacks may be as destructive as a terrorist action in real life. The enemy in this combat field is determined to harm us as well as our future”.
STM General Manager Davut Yılmaz: “We cannot call the sirens”
STM General Manager Mr. Davut Yılmaz stated that this new combat field was too great, that the limits of the parties were ambiguous and it was impossible to identify the friend or foe and continued, “There is no way to figure out from which direction the enemy is approaching or how he will attack. It is impossible to guide the people at times of attacks or call the sirens. We may even not be aware of our losses after such a combat. It is a fact that the attacks of the cybercrime organizations supported by governments are as important as the real-life attacks. If these attacks occur simultaneously they may result in a disaster. Therefore, it is essential not to ignore the cyber threats while considering the advantages offered by the digital world. In this regard, we attach great importance to the European Cybersecurity Protection Alliance - CYSPA, the outcomes of this project and to the cyber alliance to be built as a result of this project. As an institution representing our country in NATO, European Organization for Security and European Cybersecurity Protection Alliance, we would be honored to gather the cybersecurity products manufactured by domestic companies in a single center and thus lead an integrated, national solution that is stronger and more efficient”.
Information and Communication Technologies Authority Chairman of the Board Mr.Tayfun Acarer: “Cyber Defence is expensive and challenging”
In his speech, Information and Communication Technologies Authority’s Chairman of the Board Mr. Tayfun Acarer said, “Our data traffic increased by 4.4 times in the last four years”. Mr. Tayfun Acarer continued, “Mobile internet traffic increased by 26 times in the last four years. Presently, a lot of things surrounding us are in communication with our environment. Cybersecurity will become the most strategic subject in two years. Data produced in the last two years’ time is more than the data produced by human beings so far. The more easy the cyber-attacks toward such data become, the more expensive and difficult defending such data. Each day, 1,5 million people are exposed to cyber-attacks. The damage caused by a cheap virus is greater than the damage of a million-dollar fighter aircraft.
Mr. Mustafa Şeker: “Protecting the Information Security will be our Priority”
Head of Electronic Warfare and Radar Systems at the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) Mr. Mustafa Şeker said, “Currently we come across attacks towards institutions rather than assaults towards the individuals. We have to move beyond the classical security approach. The security aspect gains various dimensions with the technological development. No matter how far they live, the hackers are able to reach at places where you consider your heart is”. Stating that reaching the data remotely becomes the requirement of the modern times and added, “Technology brings us great conveniences. However, the hackers can easily access the information you reach. Accessing data remotely is currently the most essential requirement of our times. Switching off all the equipment and unplugging are not the sound solutions. The solution could only be developed through the protection of information security. Continuous development of solutions against threats is required”.
Multi Partnered Alliance for Struggle against Cyber Attacks
The objective of the European Cybersecurity Protection Alliance (CYSPA) Project developed within the scope of the European Union 7th Framework Program’s Information and Communication Technologies Call for research has been identified as the protection of the cyber realm through the development of a European-wide strategy in cooperation with the research groups, representatives of the industry, governmental authorities and infrastructural operators. The coordination of the CYSPA project is executed by the European Organization for Security (EOS). A total of 17 partners and 4 consulting institutions remain in the project from 10 countries including Turkey (Belgium, Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Romania). Transportation, finance, energy, telecommunication and e-government issues are represented within the scope of the project.
STM at CYSPA on behalf of Turkey
As aforementioned sectors are integral parts of the mainland security, development of solutions that would cover the demands of these sectors within the scope of cybersecurity is among STM’s priority targets. Offering crucial solutions within the scope of national cybersecurity policies, STM contributes greatly to this alliance. Within the scope of the CYSPA project, events were organized in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France and England for increasing the participation and sharing know-how on the cybersecurity structures of the countries.
