Global Cybersecurity Research Center
A cyber security conference for the first time outside the public sector in Turkey ,took place on 20 October 2017 with the cooperation of CSRC-Global and New Media Department of Istanbul Gelisim University with the attendance of many experts from Turkey and abroad.
The organizer of the Conference, Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Akçay and Chair Person of CSRC-Global Asst.Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ece Unsal stated that they are aiming to raise Turkey’s awareness in this issue which determines the world’s agenda.
The conference is the first scientific conference that was jointly organized by an NGO and a University in Turkey.
Assoc. Professor Dr. Mitko Bogdonoski expleined in his keynote speech that the opportunities provided by the cyber environment may be a threat, cyber security problems can be technical and human-sourced; technical problems can be solved, but on the other hand, human-induced problems could be solved only by increasing the awareness about the issue.
Erdal Özkaya who is the Cybersecurity Architect at Microsoft, told in his speech that; “I see computers now as a weapon. I think there’s no difference between an F-16 and a computer. We understand that hacking is not a hobby, it’s an illegal business area with a lot of revenue”
All day in conference, Turkish and foreign specialists examined both the developments and threats in the world, and revealed what needs to be done in Turkey. The conference, which aims to examine the cyber security issues in terms of technical, legal, social and economic aspects and to address them both in the field and in the academic environment, has attracted a great deal of attention from domestic and international participants.
In the conference, some of the names of the experts in the field were as follows
Prof. Dr. Ali Okatan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mitko Bogdonoski, Erdal Özkaya, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zlatogor Minchev, Prof. Dr. Vikas Kumar, Prof. Dr. Pier Luigi Capucci, Doç.Dr. Çigdem Başfırıncı, Dr. Hakan Aydın, Asst. Prof. Dr. Fatih Ozkaynak, Klorenta Janushi, Asst. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ece Ünsal, Dr.Erhan Canikoğlu, Ivan Gaydarski; Assoc. Prof. Dr.Zlatogor Minchev, Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Akçay; M. Nuri Dursun …
For more evets :
https://www.erdalozkaya.com/category/free-events/
Global Cybersecurity Research Center – hacking is not a hobby –
CISO Insight
Cybersecurity is not a product you buy or a project you complete — it is a continuous operational discipline. The organisations that achieve genuine security maturity embed security thinking into every business decision, invest in people and processes alongside technology, and build resilience for the inevitable day when preventive controls fail.
The Evolving Cybersecurity Landscape
The threat landscape continues to evolve at a pace that challenges even well-resourced security teams. AI-powered attacks, supply chain compromises, ransomware-as-a-service, and state-sponsored campaigns create a multi-dimensional threat environment no single technology can address. Organisations that defend most effectively take a risk-based approach — understanding which assets are most critical, which threats are most likely, and where investments will have the greatest impact. For CISOs, translating this complexity into actionable strategy requires quantifying cyber risk in business terms, prioritising based on risk reduction, and communicating in language that resonates with non-technical stakeholders.
Building a Defence-in-Depth Strategy
Effective cybersecurity requires layered defences addressing the full attack lifecycle — from reconnaissance through exfiltration. No single control is sufficient; every control can be bypassed by sufficiently motivated adversaries. The goal is creating enough layers that attackers must overcome multiple independent defences, while ensuring detection and response capabilities identify and contain breaches before catastrophic damage. The most common mistake organisations make is treating security as a technology problem rather than a business risk management discipline. The fundamentals — patch management, access control, security awareness, incident response planning — prevent more breaches than any advanced technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest cybersecurity mistake organisations make?
Buying security tools without coherent strategy, skipping basic hygiene in favour of advanced solutions, and failing to invest in people and processes. The fundamentals prevent more breaches than advanced technology.
How should CISOs prioritise security investments?
Start with risk assessment identifying critical assets and likely threats. Prioritise controls for highest-risk scenarios. Ensure basic hygiene is solid before investing in advanced capabilities. Use NIST CSF or CIS Controls to structure your programme and measure progress with board-friendly metrics.
Related reading: Visit our Cyber Resilience Hub or download the CISO Toolkit for governance templates.