Erdoğan says cybersecurity now a pillar of Türkiye’s national sovereignty

Speaking at the Presidential Complex in Ankara during a ceremony titled “Strong Türkiye in Communication with 5G,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted how the latest conflicts in the region—particularly in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran—have reaffirmed the indispensable nature of digital security.

“To be a strong, deterrent, and respected force on the global stage, it is essential to accelerate efforts in cyberspace and implement the necessary security measures,” Erdoğan stated, underscoring that modern geopolitical strength is increasingly defined by technological resilience.

A Lesson from Recent Conflicts

According to Erdoğan, in today’s data-driven era, political stability, economic autonomy, military deterrence, and digital sovereignty are deeply interconnected. He warned that a nation’s sovereignty faces serious vulnerabilities if it can secure its physical borders but fails to protect its airspace, its cyber homeland, and its data infrastructure.

Strengthening Institutional Data Security

The president announced that Türkiye will gradually introduce additional measures in the coming period aimed at enhancing the security of data held by state institutions. He noted that law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and relevant public bodies are already implementing preventive strategies, action plans, and countermeasures to remain prepared for all contingencies.

“We view cybersecurity not merely as a reaction to threats, but as an integral part of our national security,” Erdoğan emphasized, framing the country’s digital defense efforts as a proactive pillar of state policy.

5G Rollout Timeline

As part of the communication advancements, Erdoğan also detailed the initial phase of the 5G network, stating that the technology will first be deployed across all 81 provincial centers before becoming available nationwide within the next two years.