What Does Turkey's Cybersecurity Law No. 7545 Change?

As digitalization reaches deeper into our lives every day, the form and scale of cyber threats change just as fast. Everyone, from public institutions to the private sector and from individuals to critical infrastructure, is part of an invisible war: cyberattacks.

This is exactly why, to comprehensively protect Turkey's digital assets, Cybersecurity Law No. 7545was adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on March 12, 2025 and entered into force on its publication in the Official Gazette on March 19, 2025 (Official Gazette No. 32846).

So why does this law matter?

• Because it directly affects not only public institutions but also private sector organizations and individuals
  .
• Because cyber threats now target not only IT systems but also national security, public order and economic stability
  .
• And because without protecting Turkey's "cyber homeland"
  , digital transformation cannot be sustainable.

In this article, we explain Cybersecurity Law No. 7545:

• Why it was enacted,
• Which institutions it affects and how,
• Which obligations it introduces,
• And what you need to watch for, in clear, readable and convincing language.

In the final section, we show how you can comply with this new regulation and where you can get expert support.

Purpose and Core Principles of the Law

One of the most notable aspects of Cybersecurity Law No. 7545 is that it goes beyond being "a technical regulation": it extends national security policies into the digital domain. The core purpose, stated clearly in Article 1 of the law, is to protect all elements that make up the national power of the Republic of Turkey in cyberspace against existing and potential threats.

Core Objectives:

• Minimize the impact of cyber incidents,
• Ensure the security of critical infrastructure,
• Increase cyber defense capacity through strategies and policies,
• Ensure coordination among all stakeholders,
• Establish a top-level decision-making mechanism by creating the Cybersecurity Board.

Core Principles of the Law:

This law brings not only technical regulations but also a values-based framework . Here are some of the key principles:

• Part of National Security
  : Cybersecurity is now defined not only as a matter of information technology but as an integral element of national security
  .
• Priority of Critical Infrastructure
  : Infrastructure in sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare and finance stands out as assets that need special protection.
• Continuity and Sustainability
  : Measures are not temporary; the law is based on sustainable policies that are continuously improved.
  
  Priority for Domestic and National Products
  : Wherever possible, domestic solutions
  are encouraged for software, hardware and services.
• Rule of Law and Privacy
  : All measures must be applied with respect for fundamental rights and freedoms
  .
  
  Public Awareness
  : Cybersecurity is not only a matter for technical experts. The law also aims to build a culture across society
  on this topic.

Important Note:

The law clearly states that not only institutions but individuals must also be part of this culture . For this reason, for both the business world and citizens, cybersecurity knowledge is no longer a luxury but a necessity .

Institutional Structure: The Cybersecurity Presidency and the Cybersecurity Board

Law No. 7545 treats cybersecurity not only as a technical matter but also as an institutional responsibility. Within this scope, it introduces a new and strong structure: the Cybersecurity Presidency and its highest decision-making body, the Cybersecurity Board.

The Cybersecurity Presidency

Established when the law entered into force, the Cybersecurity Presidency is the central institution of Turkey's cyber defense infrastructure. The Presidency's duties cover a wide range:

• Creating cybersecurity policies for public institutions and critical infrastructure,
• Collecting and analyzing cyber threat intelligence,
• Performing, or having others perform, vulnerability tests, penetration tests and risk analyses,
• Establishing and supervising cyber incident response teams (SOME),
• Running certification, testing and accreditation processes for cybersecurity products and services,
• Conducting audits and imposing sanctions when necessary.

The Presidency is designed not only as a supervisory body but also as a guiding and supporting one. Within this framework, it can also provide secure systems and hosting services to public institutions.

The Cybersecurity Board

The Board is the body where strategic decisions are made at the highest level. Chaired by the President, the Board includes representatives of many ministries and security institutions, from the interior to defense. Its duties include:

• Setting the national cybersecurity strategy,
• Classifying critical infrastructure sectors,
• Identifying areas for workforce development and incentives,
• Resolving conflicts of authority and responsibility between public institutions.

When needed, the Board can also set up commissions and working groups to carry out detailed technical work.

SOME Structure

The law also requires institutions to set up a SOME (Cyber Incident Response Team). The maturity levels of these teams will be defined, tested through drills and supported by international coordination. The goal is to build faster and more effective response capability against attacks.

Who Is Responsible? Which Obligations Apply?

Cybersecurity Law No. 7545 makes it clear that not only the public sector but also the private sector, and even individuals, are directly responsible for digital security. The law therefore imposes various obligations on all actors within its scope. For institutions linked to critical infrastructure, these responsibilities are especially clear and binding.

Who Falls Within the Scope of the Law?

• Public institutions and organizations,
• Professional organizations with public institution status,
• Private companies and ventures,
• Organizations without legal personality.

To the extent that they operate in cyberspace, these organizations fall within the oversight and obligations of this law.

Obligations Introduced

• Sharing data and documents:
  All data, documents and system information requested by the Presidency must be provided as a priority and on time.
• Reporting cyber incidents:
  Cyber incidents or security vulnerabilities detected in the areas where they provide services must be reported to the Cybersecurity Presidency immediately.
• Use of domestic products:
  Products used in critical infrastructure must be procured from individuals or companies authorized by the Presidency.
• Accreditation and certification:
  All companies operating in cybersecurity must complete authorization processes approved by the Presidency within a set period. Companies that do not complete this process can have their operations suspended.
• Confidentiality obligation:
  All information, personal data and trade secrets obtained in the course of duty cannot be shared with unauthorized persons or organizations.

Criminal Sanctions

The sanctions for non-compliance are highly deterrent. The key ones are:

• Persons and organizations that fail to provide the information, documents or hardware requested by the Presidency can face 1 to 3 years of imprisonment and a judicial fine
  .
• Operating without legal approval, authorization or permission: 2 to 4 years of imprisonment
  .
• Breaching the confidentiality obligation: 4 to 8 years of imprisonment
  .
• Causing a data leak or spreading false claims of a leak: 3 to 5 years of imprisonment
  .
• Failing to meet critical infrastructure responsibilities: an administrative fine of between TRY 1 million and TRY 10 million
  , and in some cases up to TRY 100 million
  .

Non-compliance can lead not only to criminal sanctions but also to administrative consequences, such as the suspension of commercial activities or a requirement for companies to change their field of activity.

Recommendations for Organizations and Individuals

Cybersecurity Law No. 7545 is now in force. So how should organizations and individuals prepare for this new era? Compliance is not only a legal obligation; it is also a basic condition for protecting brand reputation, keeping customer trust and staying sustainable in the digital age.

A Roadmap for Organizations

• Assess Your Current State:
  
  Determine where you stand in cybersecurity, identify vulnerabilities in your systems and build your inventories.

• Set Up a SOME or Strengthen Existing Teams:
  
  Create in-house SOME teams or strengthen this structure with external support. Preparing these teams through drills and training is very important.
• Move to Domestic Authorized Products:
  
  Working with software, hardware and service providers authorized by the Presidency is mandatory for both compliance and security.
• Review Your Certification Processes:
  
  Companies operating in cybersecurity must complete their certification and accreditation processes without delay. Otherwise, sanctions such as suspension of operations or termination of legal personality can apply.
• Start Training and Awareness Programs:
  
  Regular training for all staff supports both legal compliance and the development of a cyber culture.

What Should Individuals Do?

Although the law appears to focus on organizations, individuals' behavior in the digital world also directly affects the level of cybersecurity. The responsibilities of individuals are:

• Use strong and unique passwords.
• Stay away from suspicious emails and links.
• Be careful about sharing personal data.
• Ask digital service providers about their security policies.

Compliance Secures the Future

Law No. 7545 is a serious step toward securing Turkey's digital future. However, the success of this process does not depend on legal texts alone; it depends on the initiative organizations take and the care individuals show.

In this new era, getting professional support to assess your organization's readiness and build your strategic roadmap both reduces legal risk and gives you a competitive edge.

For detailed analysis, consulting and implementation guidance, contact us through our contact page.