Türksat CEO Ahmet Hamdi Atalay emphasized the importance of information security, describing data as the most valuable asset for nations. “Information security has three pillars: confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility. You must ensure accessibility and data integrity while maintaining privacy and confidentiality. However, you cannot go into battle with someone else's weapon. Without national and local products and solutions, information security cannot be guaranteed. As Türksat, we have responsibilities in this area. We can secure our institutions using national and local solutions. Our institutions must prioritize these solutions, and Türksat is ready to provide all necessary support,” Atalay stated.
The 17th International Information Security and Cryptology Conference, organized by the Information Security Association, took place at the Presidential National Library with the participation of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States Binali Yıldırım, and Türksat CEO Ahmet Hamdi Atalay. Speaking at the "Cyber Resilience in Communication" panel, Atalay highlighted the significance of information security for all humanity. "The entire world is part of this digital age, with around 4.5 billion people connected to the internet. In the near future, the number of objects linked to digital infrastructure will reach 50 billion. We are talking about a new realm, a virtual universe, where the greatest power is information. The knowledge derived from data is the most critical factor affecting development," he said.
Atalay further noted that data and information structures are influenced by artificial intelligence and algorithms, underscoring Turkey's leadership in digitalization in certain fields. He highlighted Turkey's top-tier status in banking and healthcare, stating, "Currently, Turkey is among the top three globally in healthcare digitalization, producing vast amounts of health data daily. We have infrastructures that generate data in many fields. However, the value of this data is not fully appreciated. Data reflecting our culture and social life is limited, which is why some outcomes do not resonate with us. Similar risks exist in artificial intelligence."
"We Must Define Our Friends and Foes Ourselves"
Atalay likened information security to national defense, emphasizing its critical importance. “For example, in the past, the armed forces used identification systems (IFF) acquired externally, allowing others to define our allies and enemies. Today, by producing these systems domestically, we can define them ourselves. Similarly, in the digital and cyber realms, we must develop and produce our own weapons and national products. We must collect and protect our data ourselves,” he added.
The Three Pillars of Information Security
Atalay outlined the three pillars of information security: confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility. "Pulling the plug to ensure security is not an option. You must maintain accessibility, ensure data integrity, and achieve all of this while safeguarding privacy and confidentiality. However, you cannot ensure information security using foreign solutions. National and local products are essential," he said.
"Protecting Institutions with National and Local Solutions"
Highlighting the value of data as the "greatest treasure," Atalay stressed the fundamental role of national and local products in safeguarding it. Addressing the IT sector, he said, "All our data can be compromised with a single algorithm from outside. That is why we must develop our own national products. Institutions must adopt and utilize national and local solutions. If we don't use, train, and develop these products, it won't work. As Türksat, we have responsibilities in this regard, and we are ready to provide all necessary support to ensure the security of institutions through national and local solutions."
At the "Cybersecurity and Identity Verification in Digital Services" panel, Türksat Cybersecurity Management Director Mehmet Ali Erkul also provided insights into Türksat's national and local solutions in the field of cybersecurity.