The program titled "Future Professions: Cybersecurity Part 2 – Siber Vatan (Cyber Homeland)," organized by the BEUN Science Communication Office, was held at the Siber Vatan Competence Center on Farabi Campus at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN).
The program, moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Melek Toparlak Şahin, was attended by Head of the Western Black Sea Development Agency (BAKKA) Institutional Management Unit (KYB) Kadir Kağan İnaloğlu, Siber Vatan Coordinator Muhammed Temli, co-founder of CYROPS Cyber Security Inc. Sadican Üstün, and co-founder of DeepReo Cyber Security Inc. Resul Çelik.
At the beginning of the program Asst. Prof. Dr. Melek Toparlak Şahin stated that cyber security is an essential element of al strategic fields from public institutions and industry to private sector and defense as well as the field of technology at a time when digital transformation is gaining momentum.
Emphasizing that universities aim to raise qualified human resources and bring scientific information together with social contribution as part of the 2030 vision of Council of Higher Education, Asst. Prof. Dr. Şahin stated that the National Technology Initiative vision of Ministry of Industry and Technology strategically prioritize raising specialists who can produce national technologies particularly in critical fields such as cyber security. She also stated that the program will focus on “Siber Vatan” concept, the significance of this concept in digital security, and related career opportunities.
In his talk as part of the program, Head of the BAKKA Institutional Management Unit (KYB) Kadir Kağan İnaloğlu informed participants on the progress of Siber Vatan project since 2014. He noted that Siber Vatan, one of the strategically significant project in the field of defense, continues to develop through the Siber Vatan Competency Center under BEUN as part of the efforts by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Highlighting that Siber Vatan Competency Center is one of the centers involved in the preparations for NATO exercise, İnaloğlu stated that the project has a more comprehensive structure as of 2026. Noting the significance of student competitions, trainings, and activities carried out with the support of other institutions, İnaloğluy expressed his pleasure for the collaborations made during this process.
Stating that Siber Vatan project is expanding in other universities in Türkiye, İnaloğlu added that this ecosystem has become a significant center thanks to the efforts made under Zonguldak BAKKA coordination and Siber Vatan Competency Center. Providing information on the stakeholders of the project and its activities, İnaloğlu stated that they continue with their efforts to raise qualified human resources in the region.
Siber Vatan Coordinator Muhammed Temli emphasized the importance of training a qualified workforce in the field of cybersecurity and enhancing young people's competencies in this rapidly evolving discipline. Providing information about the scope of the Siber Vatan Project, its training processes, and the opportunities offered to students, Temli explained that bootcamp programs, attended by students from various cities across Türkiye, enable participants to strengthen their theoretical knowledge through hands-on practical training.
Temli also noted that Zonguldak is one of the central and pilot implementation regions of the Siber Vatan Project in Türkiye. He stated that the project adopts a master-apprentice training model, allowing students to gradually take on mentoring roles as they gain experience while also acquiring the competencies required for entrepreneurship.
The program continued with presentations by Sadican Üstün, Co-Founder of CYROPS Cyber Security Inc., and Resul Çelik, Co-Founder of DeepReo Cyber Security Inc. Both speakers shared their career journeys, entrepreneurial experiences, and professional insights in the field of cybersecurity, which began through the Siber Vatan Project.
As one of the first entrepreneurs to establish a company through the Siber Vatan Project, Sadican Üstün described his entrepreneurial journey. He explained that while developing his cybersecurity skills during the training process, he recognized the need for an accessible environment where users could conduct practical exercises and security testing. In response to this need, he developed the Hackviser platform. Üstün stated that Hackviser has since evolved into a global platform used by nearly 130,000 users from 126 countries to develop cybersecurity skills, perform hands-on assessments, and complete certification processes.
Üstün emphasized that the journey initiated through the Siber Vatan Project represents not only a technical training process but also a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurship and transforming innovative ideas into reality. He encouraged students to carefully analyze the needs of the industry and develop projects that provide effective solutions to real-world challenges.
Resul Çelik, Co-Founder of DeepReo Cyber Security Inc., also spoke about the contributions of the Siber Vatan Project to his professional development. He noted that the training he received significantly enhanced both his technical competencies and his understanding of the cybersecurity sector. Highlighting the importance of practical experience, project development, and networking with experts for students pursuing careers in cybersecurity, Çelik shared the challenges and valuable experiences he encountered throughout his entrepreneurial journey.
The program concluded with a group photograph commemorating the occasion.
The full program will be published on BEUN's official YouTube channel, making it accessible to students, academics, and all audiences interested in cybersecurity. Featuring comprehensive discussions on the professions of the future, the Siber Vatan ecosystem, and career opportunities in cybersecurity, the program will be available on the BEUN YouTube channel.
