News
In recent years, efforts to strengthen human capital in the field of digital technologies in Türkiye have led to the emergence of new talents and initiatives. In this area, which is fundamentally based on qualified human resources, tailored training activities create a significant impact and play a key role in guiding young people toward these fields.
The Cyber Homeland Program has been implemented since 2019 with the aim of meeting Türkiye’s need for cybersecurity experts and increasing youth employment and technology-oriented young entrepreneurship. The program is carried out by Development Agencies under the coordination of the General Directorate of Development Agencies, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Presidency of Defence Industries, the Türkiye Cyber Security Cluster, and universities.
By unlocking the potential of young people and transforming them into key actors of Türkiye’s digital future, the Cyber Homeland Program stands as a strategic initiative that directly complements the local development mission of the General Directorate of Development Agencies.
What distinguishes the Cyber Homeland Program from similar training initiatives is its capacity-building approach based on multi-stakeholder and systematic collaborations, with end-to-end coordinated components.
Within the scope of the Cyber Homeland Program, university students in particular receive in-depth technical training in cybersecurity; they carry out tasks and hands-on exercises in teams, participate in national and international competitions, and engage in technology-oriented entrepreneurship development activities.
Since its launch in 2019, the program has achieved significant success in numerous national and international cybersecurity competitions, contributed to the employment of approximately 380 students, and led to the emergence of 8 young startups.
In order to strengthen Türkiye’s cyber defense capacity and ensure equal opportunities for young people, the Cyber Homeland Program will be implemented simultaneously in all 81 provinces of Türkiye in 2026.
The Cyber Homeland Program will be open to applications from university students. The program will begin with an online training and practice phase following the selection of students from all 81 provinces.
As a first step, 30-day online interactive training sessions will be delivered in each province with the participation of students. At the end of the online training, 40 students who successfully pass the online CTF exam will be eligible to participate in face-to-face trainings.
Through 5–7 day in-person, hands-on trainings to be held in each province, participants will gain competencies in penetration testing and web security. Following the face-to-face trainings, students will continue to develop their practical skills through online training provided via the Cyber Homeland Student Management System.
Based on the exams conducted at the end of the trainings, the top 5 students in each Development Agency region will be selected to form that region’s Cyber Homeland Team.
The 26 regional champion teams will compete to become the national champion at the National Cyber Homeland CTF Competition to be held in Ankara.
Internship and employment processes for successful participants across all 81 provinces—primarily members of the 26 regional champion teams—will be carried out under the coordination of the Development Agencies and the Presidency of Defence Industries.
Applications for the Cyber Homeland Program can be submitted via https://sibervatan.org/basvurular until 15 November 2025.
By ensuring equal access across all 81 provinces in the 2026 term, the Cyber Homeland Program will increase young people’s engagement with technology and cybersecurity and directly contribute to strengthening national capacity in this field.
