The New Turkish Cybersecurity Law: Compliance Strategies for Companies

Cybersecurity Law in Turkey - Turkish Law Firm Advisory

In 2025, Turkey enacted a long-anticipated legal reform in digital security through the introduction of the new Cybersecurity Law No. 7545. This legislation, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, digital services, and personal data, imposes significant compliance obligations on both public and private sector actors. Companies operating in technology, finance, energy, logistics, healthcare, e-commerce, and cloud services are particularly impacted. For executives and legal teams, the law presents not only a regulatory challenge, but also an opportunity to implement resilient information security frameworks that align with global best practices.

At ER&GUN&ER Law Firm, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers provide end-to-end compliance advisory to companies affected by cybersecurity law in Turkey. As a best lawyer firm in Turkey for regulatory and digital infrastructure law, we help clients interpret the statute, identify risk areas, align with cybersecurity principles, and engage proactively with Turkish regulators. Whether your company is an IT services provider, SaaS platform, banking institution, or logistics operator managing digital supply chains, our legal guidance ensures strategic and practical corporate cybersecurity compliance.

Scope and Purpose of the Turkish Cybersecurity Law

The Turkish Cybersecurity Law (Law No. 7545) defines the regulatory architecture for national cyber defense, critical information infrastructure protection, incident reporting, and risk management. The law builds on previous sectoral regulations, such as the Electronic Communications Law and the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), but introduces horizontal obligations applicable across sectors. It establishes the National Cybersecurity Authority (Ulusal Siber Güvenlik Kurulu), which coordinates with sectoral agencies to enforce compliance, issue fines, and oversee incident management.

Any company operating digital infrastructure that is deemed “critical” or “strategic” under the new classification framework must comply. This includes businesses offering cloud storage, data centers, digital identity verification, IoT platforms, online marketplaces, payment systems, health records management, and transportation logistics software. Our Turkish Law Firm assists clients in identifying whether they fall under the scope and provides a comprehensive action plan for compliance strategy under the cybersecurity law in Turkey.

Key Obligations for Companies under Law No. 7545

The new law imposes a wide array of mandatory obligations on companies in Turkey. These obligations are structured across six categories:

  • Risk Assessment and Classification: Companies must classify their digital infrastructure and conduct periodic cybersecurity risk assessments.
  • Security Controls: Implementation of encryption, access controls, firewall architecture, and vulnerability testing are mandatory for critical systems.
  • Incident Notification: Data breaches and cyberattacks must be reported to the National Cybersecurity Authority within 72 hours of detection.
  • Independent Audit: Companies above a size threshold must undergo independent cybersecurity audits every 12 months and submit results to regulators.
  • Supply Chain Compliance: Vendors, third-party SaaS providers, and subcontractors must demonstrate minimum cybersecurity standards.
  • Employee Training and Certification: Internal staff must be trained and designated responsible for information security compliance.

Our firm works with cybersecurity consultants, in-house counsel, and IT departments to help clients meet these standards without disrupting business operations. We prepare internal policies, supplier agreements, breach protocols, and Board resolutions needed to meet regulatory expectations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance and Legal Consequences

Under the Turkish Cybersecurity Law, failure to meet compliance obligations can result in a combination of administrative fines, regulatory sanctions, and in severe cases, temporary suspension of digital operations. Fines may range from ₺150,000 to ₺5,000,000 per violation depending on the size of the company, risk level of the infrastructure, and whether the violation was intentional or negligent. In critical infrastructure sectors—such as banking, energy, telecommunications, and healthcare—authorities may also impose operational restrictions or notify public prosecutors in cases of systemic negligence leading to data loss or service disruption.

Our cybersecurity law defense lawyers in Turkey provide full representation in regulatory investigations and court proceedings. We draft defense petitions, negotiate penalty reductions, and initiate administrative lawsuits to challenge unlawful fines. As a Turkish Law Firm experienced in both regulatory enforcement and information technology law, we coordinate with internal compliance teams and international headquarters to manage crises and restore regulatory compliance in a timely manner.

Alignment with GDPR and Global Standards

For multinational companies operating in Turkey, aligning with the Turkish Cybersecurity Law and the EU's GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) simultaneously can be complex. While the two frameworks share many core principles—such as data minimization, breach notification, and accountability—they diverge in implementation mechanisms and enforcement practices. Turkey’s law is more infrastructure-driven, and compliance often involves coordination with public agencies, cybersecurity vendors, and sectoral regulators.

We advise global tech platforms, e-commerce groups, and regulated financial entities on how to integrate GDPR compliance efforts with cybersecurity law in Turkey. Our lawyers structure cross-border data governance frameworks, ensure lawful data export, and bridge documentation gaps between internal IT teams, corporate legal, and Turkish regulators. This dual-alignment approach reduces the risk of fragmented compliance and maximizes legal defensibility across jurisdictions.

Internal Legal Resources for Cybersecurity Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the scope of the Turkish Cybersecurity Law? The law applies to companies operating digital infrastructure, particularly those classified as critical or strategic by Turkish authorities.
  • Are there sector-specific compliance rules? Yes. Additional requirements exist for telecom, banking, healthcare, and energy sectors, coordinated by respective ministries and regulatory bodies.
  • What happens if a cyberattack occurs and is not reported? Failing to notify the National Cybersecurity Authority within 72 hours can result in heavy fines and operational sanctions.
  • Do foreign-owned companies need to comply? Yes. Any entity operating in Turkey or managing Turkish customer data must comply, regardless of ownership.
  • How often must we perform cybersecurity audits? Once every 12 months for companies above regulatory thresholds. Smaller entities must maintain internal audit logs.
  • Is GDPR compliance enough in Turkey? No. While helpful, GDPR alone does not satisfy Turkey’s national infrastructure security and breach notification obligations.
  • Can we challenge fines or audit findings? Yes. Turkish administrative courts allow companies to challenge enforcement decisions and request suspension of penalties.
  • Do we need to update all third-party contracts? Likely yes. Contracts with SaaS vendors, IT providers, and subcontractors must include cybersecurity clauses and breach protocols.
  • What if we don’t have a local legal team? Our English speaking Turkish lawyers act as outsourced legal counsel to structure and defend your cybersecurity compliance strategy.
  • How can a Turkish Law Firm help? We interpret the law, assess compliance gaps, structure internal policies, represent you in audits, and defend against fines or business interruption risks.

Stay Ahead of Cyber Risks with Strategic Legal Support

Cybersecurity is no longer a technical department’s concern—it is a core legal risk that touches every aspect of business, from corporate governance and contract management to vendor relations and brand reputation. With the enactment of the Turkish Cybersecurity Law, companies operating in Turkey now face direct regulatory scrutiny over their IT systems, data flow, employee awareness, and even supply chain resilience. For businesses that fail to prepare, the consequences range from regulatory fines to criminal referrals, loss of licenses, or permanent reputational damage. For companies that plan ahead with experienced legal guidance, the law offers an opportunity to build resilience and credibility in a world where trust is currency.

At ER&GUN&ER Law Firm, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers are here to translate complex regulatory obligations into actionable policies that protect your business. As a leading Turkish Law Firm in cybersecurity, compliance, and regulatory litigation, we guide both local and international companies through Turkey’s digital security framework with legal clarity and technical depth. Whether you’re facing a data protection investigation in Turkey, building your first compliance protocol, or restructuring your regional security governance, our team delivers proven, risk-aware legal strategies. Let us help you build compliance into your business before a regulator—or a hacker—forces the issue.