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Berkan Karakurt Named Press Advisor to Turkey’s Cyber Security Presidency

Berkan Karakurt Named Press Advisor to Turkey’s Cyber Security Presidency
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Berkan Karakurt, who served for about three years as press advisor at Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), has been appointed press advisor to the Cyber Security Presidency, the institution reporting directly to the Turkish Presidency. The move was announced by sector sources on 12 August 2026.

A NEW POST IN CYBER SECURITY

In his new role Karakurt will run corporate communications and media relations for the Cyber Security Presidency. He will take part in communicating the agency’s work on cyber security, cyber resilience, secure digital transformation and the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies.

WHO IS BERKAN KARAKURT?

Berkan Karakurt, press advisor of Turkey's Cyber Security Presidency
Berkan Karakurt. Photo: savunmasanayi.org

Karakurt began his communications career in 2006. Over more than twenty years he has built national and international experience in strategic communications, brand and reputation management, media relations and crisis communications.

Institutions he has worked for include:

  • ASELSAN — Corporate Communications Manager (from 2020)
  • Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) — Press Advisor (about three years)
  • Enerjisa
  • Şişecam
  • VakıfBank Finance Group

THE ASELSAN AND SSB YEARS

Karakurt joined ASELSAN as corporate communications manager in 2020. During that period the company ran social-impact programmes such as the Teknomacera children’s platform and the Birlikte Güçlüyüz supplier development platform.

He then moved to the SSB press advisory office, where he handled public communication of Turkish defence industry programmes — delivery announcements for indigenous platforms, export figures, and the heavy media traffic around trade fairs and national events.

THE "COMMUNICATION ARCHITECT" AWARD

While at ASELSAN, Karakurt was listed among the "30 Communication Architects of the New Era" in the annual research published by Business Life magazine. The award was announced in March 2022.

HANDOVER AT SSB

Following his departure, the SSB press advisory role was taken over by Abdülkadir Karakelle, a veteran of Turkish media known for his work at Daily Sabah, TRT World and Anadolu Agency, where he served as director of special productions.

WHAT DOES THE CYBER SECURITY PRESIDENCY DO?

The Cyber Security Presidency was established on 8 January 2025 by Presidential Decree No. 177 as a publicly funded body with legal personality reporting directly to the Turkish Presidency, headquartered in Ankara.

  • Setting cyber security policy, strategy and targets, and drawing up action plans
  • Running legislative work and coordinating related activities
  • Awareness, training and education programmes
  • Strengthening cooperation between the public sector, private sector and universities

Its legal footing was reinforced by Cyber Security Law No. 7545, which entered into force on 12 March 2025. Ümit Önal, previously chief executive of Türk Telekom, was appointed as the agency’s first president in October 2025.

Sources

  • Savunma Sanayi — Berkan Karakurt appointed press advisor to the Cyber Security Presidency (12 August 2026)
  • Haber7 — Cyber Security Presidency press advisor is Berkan Karakurt
  • DefenceTurk — Change of guard at the SSB press advisory office
  • Official Gazette — Presidential Decree No. 177 and Cyber Security Law No. 7545

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