Türkiye to give extensive powers to Cybersecurity Directorate to protect critical infrastructure

The recently established Presidency of Cybersecurity in Türkiye has been granted extensive powers aimed at strengthening the country’s defenses against cyber threats, according to a new legislative proposal submitted to the Turkish Parliament.

Expanded powers for cybersecurity operations

Under the proposed legislation, the Cybersecurity authority will be authorized to conduct searches in residences, workplaces, and non-public areas during instances of imminent cyber threats. These operations can proceed without prior judicial approval, based on a written order by the authority’s head according to a report by Türkiye daily.

The measures include search, data copying, and seizure procedures, which must be submitted to a judge for approval within 24 hours. If the judge does not issue a decision within 48 hours, any copied or seized materials will be immediately destroyed, and the seizure will be automatically lifted.

Enhanced compensation for cybersecurity staff

Personnel working at the Presidency of Cybersecurity Authority will undergo thorough security clearance and background checks, including temporary staff assigned to the organization.

To attract top talent, the government plans to offer competitive salaries, up to seven times the maximum salary for other public-sector contractors. For 2025, this could mean salaries as high as ₺387,000 ($10.9K) annually.

Post-service restrictions to safeguard national security

Employees leaving the Cybersecurity Directorate will face a two-year restriction preventing them from taking positions in the cybersecurity sector, either in public or private institutions.

They will also be barred from engaging in commercial activities related to cybersecurity during this period.

Additionally, former personnel are prohibited from disclosing or publishing any information acquired during their tenure, regardless of the medium, including television, radio, internet, social media, or print publications.

Protecting critical infrastructure

The Cybersecurity Directorate aims to establish robust strategies to address cyber threats targeting Türkiye’s critical infrastructure, including energy, finance, healthcare, and telecommunications systems.

This comes amid a global uprise from conventional warfare to hybrid and asymmetric conflicts, with state-sponsored cyberattacks, terrorist organizations, and organized crime groups increasingly targeting technological infrastructure.