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Turkey’s Cybersecurity Law No. 7545: What Businesses Need to Know
Digital transformation has changed how organisations operate. Businesses now depend on information systems for daily operations, customer services, communication, and data management. As reliance on technology increases, cyber threats have become a legal and business risk along with being a technical challenge.
To create a stronger national cybersecurity framework, Turkey introduced Cybersecurity Law No. 7545, which entered into force on 19 March 2025.
The cybersecurity law aims to prevent cyber threats, reduce the impact of cyber incidents, protect organisations and individuals operating in cyberspace, and establish national cybersecurity strategies and policies. It introduces new responsibilities for public institutions, private organisations and other entities that operate through digital systems.
For businesses, the law represents a shift towards a more structured approach to cybersecurity. Organisations are expected to understand their responsibilities, strengthen security measures, prepare for possible inspections, and ensure that cybersecurity is considered part of overall business governance.
Understanding the Scope of Cybersecurity Law No. 7545
Cybersecurity law no. 7545 applies to public authorities, professional organisations with public authority status, individuals, legal entities and organisations without legal personality that operate, provide services or carry out activities in cyberspace.
The law defines cyberspace as the environment consisting of information systems connected directly or indirectly to the internet, electronic communication systems, and computer networks.
This means the law is not limited to companies that provide cybersecurity services. Organisations that use information systems to provide services, collect information, process data, or manage digital operations may also need to consider their obligations.
Businesses in sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, software services, and other digitally dependent industries should review how the legislation applies to their activities.
The New Cybersecurity Governance Structure
One of the key changes introduced by the cybersecurity law is the creation of a central cybersecurity governance structure through the Cybersecurity Presidency and the Cybersecurity Board.
The Cybersecurity Presidency is responsible for strengthening cyber resilience, protecting critical infrastructure and information systems, supporting cyber incident response activities, and developing cybersecurity standards.
The law also establishes the Cybersecurity Board, which is responsible for decisions relating to cybersecurity regulations and the implementation of the cybersecurity roadmap prepared by the Presidency.
This creates a more centralised approach to cybersecurity management in Turkey, with organisations expected to cooperate with relevant authorities where required.
Key Responsibilities for Organisations
The cybersecurity law introduces several responsibilities for organisations operating in cyberspace.
Implementing Cybersecurity Measures
Organisations are expected to take necessary measures to prevent cyberattacks or reduce their impact. Cybersecurity should be managed through appropriate policies, processes, and technical controls based on the organisation’s activities and risks.
This includes maintaining secure systems, improving internal security practices, and ensuring that cybersecurity responsibilities are clearly managed.
Reporting Cybersecurity Events and Vulnerabilities
A significant requirement under the law is the responsibility to report detected vulnerabilities and cyber events to the Cybersecurity Presidency without delay.
Businesses should therefore have internal processes to identify, assess, and escalate cybersecurity incidents quickly.
A structured response process helps organisations determine:
- Whether an incident falls under cybersecurity reporting requirements
- What information needs to be collected
- Which teams should be involved
- What actions should be taken to reduce further impact
Providing Information During Official Requests
The law gives authorised authorities the ability to request information, documents, software, data, and equipment from relevant organisations.
Businesses should maintain accurate records and ensure that important cybersecurity information can be accessed when required.
Protection of Critical Infrastructure
The cybersecurity law places particular importance on protecting critical infrastructure and information systems.
Critical infrastructure refers to systems where disruption could create risks to national security, public order, essential services, or economic stability.
The Cybersecurity Presidency has authority to identify critical infrastructures, maintain oversight of responsible organisations, support risk analysis activities, and ensure appropriate cybersecurity measures are implemented.
Organisations responsible for critical infrastructure may therefore need stronger cybersecurity practices, including improved monitoring, risk assessments, incident response capabilities, and security controls.
Cybersecurity Law and Data Protection Responsibilities
Cybersecurity and privacy responsibilities often overlap because cyber incidents may involve access to sensitive information.
The cybersecurity law recognises the importance of protecting Personal Data and trade secrets during cybersecurity activities. Personal Data processed under the law must follow the principles established under Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698.
This means organisations must consider both cybersecurity obligations and Data Protection requirements when managing security incidents.
For example, a security incident involving customer information may require organisations to evaluate their responsibilities under:
- Cybersecurity Law No. 7545
- KVKK (Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Law)
A data breach involving Personal Data may require additional assessment depending on the circumstances and the type of information affected.
Organisations should therefore ensure that cybersecurity processes and privacy practices work together to support proper data handling and regulatory compliance.
Audits and Inspection Powers
The Cybersecurity Presidency has authority to conduct audits and inspections under the cybersecurity law.
During an inspection, authorised personnel may review:
- Electronic data and documents
- Information systems
- Software and hardware
- Infrastructure
- Cybersecurity processes
They may also request explanations, take copies or samples within the scope of the inspection, and prepare official reports.
For organisations, audit readiness requires more than having security tools in place. Businesses should maintain evidence of their cybersecurity activities, including policies, risk assessments, system records, security procedures, and incident documentation.
Clear documentation helps demonstrate that cybersecurity controls are actively managed and maintained.
Penalties and Compliance Risks
The cybersecurity law introduces significant penalties for violations. Depending on the nature of the offence, organisations and individuals may face criminal sanctions, judicial fines and administrative penalties.
Examples of violations include:
- Failure to provide requested information or documents
- Operating without required approvals or authorisations
- Breaching confidentiality obligations
- Sharing certain leaked personal or corporate data without permission
- Spreading false information about cybersecurity incidents
- Conducting cyberattacks against national cybersecurity interests
Administrative fines under the law may range from TRY 100,000 to TRY 100,000,000. In certain situations, involving commercial companies, penalties may reach up to 5% of gross sales revenue stated in independently audited financial statements.
These consequences show why cybersecurity should be treated as an organisational responsibility rather than only an IT function.
How Sectona Helps Organisations Support Cybersecurity Compliance
The cybersecurity law does not specifically require organisations to deploy a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. However, PAM can support organisations in strengthening security controls that align with cybersecurity best practices and compliance expectations.
Privileged accounts often provide high-level access to critical systems, applications, and sensitive information. Protecting these accounts is an important part of reducing security risks.
Protect Privileged Access
Sectona helps organisations manage privileged credentials and control administrative access. By reducing unnecessary privileged access, businesses can limit opportunities for misuse and unauthorised activity.
Improve Audit Visibility
Since cybersecurity law provides inspection and audit powers, organisations need visibility into how critical systems are accessed.
Sectona provides records of privileged access activities, helping security teams understand who accessed systems, when access occurred, and what actions were performed.
Support Incident Investigation
During a cyber incident, organisations need accurate information about access activity.
Privileged session monitoring and access records can help security teams investigate suspicious activity, understand potential attack paths, and support incident response activities.
Strengthen Security Controls
Organisations managing critical systems require stronger protection against unauthorised access.
By supporting privileged account governance, access monitoring and controlled administrative access, Sectona can help organisations improve their security posture and strengthen their compliance approach.
Steps Businesses Should Take
Organisations preparing for compliance with the cybersecurity law should consider the following actions:
- Review whether the law applies to their activities
- Identify important information systems and assets
- Maintain appropriate asset and data records
- Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments
- Establish incident reporting procedures
- Review access control practices
- Maintain cybersecurity documentation
- Prepare for possible audits
- Train employees on cybersecurity responsibilities
- Review security practices with suppliers and service providers
Taking these steps can help businesses reduce cyber risks and respond more effectively to regulatory expectations.
Building Cyber Resilience Under Turkey’s Cybersecurity Law
Turkey’s cybersecurity law introduces a new legal framework for managing cyber risks and protecting digital infrastructure. The law expands cybersecurity responsibilities beyond technical teams and makes organisations more accountable for protecting information systems.
Businesses should understand their obligations, strengthen cybersecurity practices, and prepare for possible reporting, inspection and compliance requirements.
At the same time, cybersecurity measures should work together with Data Protection, Personal Data responsibilities and KVKK (Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Law) requirements.
A proactive approach to cybersecurity can help organisations improve resilience, protect critical systems, and maintain trust in an increasingly digital business environment.
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