ANKARA

Recent wars and conflicts in the region, particularly in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran, once again demonstrated the importance of cybersecurity, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

“If you want to be strong, deterrent, and respected on the global stage, you must accelerate your efforts in cyberspace and take the necessary cybersecurity measures,” said Erdogan, speaking at Strong Türkiye in Communication with 5G Ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, marking Türkiye’s transition to 5G technology.

Sovereignty is no longer confined to geography, physical borders, or a defined territory, as rapid technological and digital advancements are reshaping the traditional understanding of state power, he said, adding that the collection, processing, analysis, and transformation of data into added value, and most importantly, ensuring data security, play a critical role in this process, Erdogan said.

"In the data age we live in, political stability, economic independence, military deterrence, and digital sovereignty are not separate from one another," he said.

“If you can control your borders but cannot control your airspace, and if you cannot protect your cyber homeland and your data, then there is a serious vulnerability in your sovereignty,” he added.

Geopolitical superiority in the digital age will be determined not only by control over land but also by the ability to manage data, and when combined with data centers, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity capacity, 5G clearly constitutes a matter of digital sovereignty and national security, said the president.

Security of state institutions’ data

Erdogan said that Türkiye will gradually implement additional measures in the coming period to strengthen the security of data belonging to state institutions.

“Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies, along with our relevant institutions, are successfully implementing preventive measures, action plans, and counter-measures to be prepared for every possible scenario,” he said.

“We view cybersecurity not merely as a reaction to threats, but as an integral part of our national security,” he added.

The 5G will be rolled out in all 81 provincial centers initially, and will be available across the country within two years, said Erdogan.

After his speech, Erdogan pressed a button on a tablet screen, transitioning Türkiye to 5G technology.