New ‘Cyber Experts’ will be trained from the Eastern Black Sea region

The Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA), Karadeniz Technical University (KTÜ), and Trabzon University have signed a cooperation protocol for “Cyber Security Training” under the Development Agencies Cyber Homeland Program.

The protocol signing ceremony held at the KTÜ Rectorate was attended by KTÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı, DOKA Secretary General Kemal Akpınar, and officials from both the university and the agency.

The protocol signing ceremony at Trabzon University was attended by Trabzon University Rector Prof. Dr. Emin Aşıkkutlu, DOKA Secretary General Kemal Akpınar, and officials from both the university and the agency.

In his speeches at the signing ceremonies, DOKA Secretary General Kemal Akpınar reminded that the Development Agencies Cyber Homeland Program is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Presidency of Defense Industries, and the Digital Transformation Office, under the coordination of the General Directorate of Development Agencies, in cooperation with development agencies, the Turkey Cyber Security Cluster, and universities.

Akpınar stated regarding the Cyber Homeland Program: “The Development Agencies Cyber Homeland Program will be conducted to meet our country’s need for cybersecurity experts. It aims to contribute to the employment of students studying Digital Technologies, Cyber Security, and Software at universities, ensure that innovative ideas turn into products or services, and raise awareness about techno-entrepreneurship. The program, which will be implemented for the first time in the Eastern Black Sea Region in Trabzon, will provide cybersecurity training to undergraduate students studying in different departments of Karadeniz Technical University and Trabzon University. Participants will receive approximately 200 hours of face-to-face training in cybersecurity specialization, white-hat hacking, penetration testing, forensic analysis, reverse engineering, malware analysis, web security, information law, attack detection, and log management, among other technical and practical training. Among these trainings, web security, malware analysis, artificial intelligence and blockchain, mobile application and game development are currently specialized in 4 thematic areas. The program, which consists of various activities such as vision meetings, project competitions (Teamscamp), boot camps, field trips, and conferences, will be completely free of charge and will last for about 18 months. Students who perform well in technical training will be provided with internship and employment opportunities in companies that are members of the Turkey Cyber Cluster and various institutions and organizations. With the Cyber Homeland Program, it is aimed to significantly contribute to the employability of young people in high-tech sectors in the Eastern Black Sea Region.”

Furthermore, it was stated that as a result of the program implemented by 9 Development Agencies in 19 provinces to date, 120 trainings have been provided to over a thousand students, contributing to the employment of more than 200 students and leading to the emergence of 7 young entrepreneurs.