Octopus, the cyber security system that the Turkish Armed Forces have actively used since 2016, has successfully passed NATO tests.
The people of Turkey have heard about the "Octopus" software from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was during the last days of December.
Erdoğan gave a speech at the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) awards ceremony, and said, “The Octopus software blocked a cyber-attack to the headquarters” and this important project started getting mentioned in newspapers and TV news.
In fact, the project had been ongoing for years. Such that the Turkish Armed Forces has been actively using the Octopus software since 2016.
What exactly is Octopus and how does it work?
Octopus is a cyber-security software. In simple terms, it protects computers and the systems connecting them from all kinds of attacks. There are, of course, similar software that have been used commercially in the world and have been developed for decades. However, Octopus is entirely local. It operates with the operating system Pardus, also developed by Turkish engineers and software developers.
When looking for a name for the software, its multi-layered, different modules and multiple security measures developed brought an octopus with many arms to mind. Therefore, the software was named Octopus.
TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM is carrying out the project
Mehmet Mirat Satoğlu, the Director of TUBITAK's National Academic Network and Information Center (ULAKBIM), says that there are many features that distinguish the software from similar ones. Its most significant difference from other commercial security systems is that it is an integrated system that enables different components to work together.
National software Octopus will be an important step for the development of the open source community in the country. It also has a critical role in the second 100-day action plan.
Octopus Integrated Cyber Security System includes features such as firewall, web application, e-mail, intrusion detection/prevention, early warning for cyber-attack, secure connection and secure Internet access systems.
In addition, the Turkish system is easy to understand, install and operate.
Importance of local software
Every software developer knows the weak points of the software they produced. Sometimes they create back doors with the key hidden in their own pockets. Each attack and each experience changes and modifies the software you have purchased and makes you more dependent as a user.
Purchasing software from abroad has always raised a question mark among government agencies. It is difficult to rely on a foreign software that you do not know when cyber-war scenarios are spoken of so loudly, and during a time in which information security has become so important.
Octopus, however, is a security software developed with native capabilities at every step, even the system it is installed on. Therefore, the key to each door is in the hands of Turkish software developers.
How safe is Octopus?
Octopus has high security standards. We are not saying this; NATO is.
The software was subjected to an important test by NATO on February 3-6 last year. The security system, which successfully defeated “DDoS attacks” at different time intervals, was able to get full marks from NATO.
The next test of Octopus was on the NATO - CWIX exercise on June 28, 2018. The software has successfully passed all cyber security exercise scenarios.
It is developed according to the needs of organizations
Developed to meet the security needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the Octopus software is now being used in other public institutions. This year, Eyüpsultan Municipality of Istanbul has entrusted its cyber security to Octopus. Installation tests are being carried out for other institutions as well. At the same time, development and support activities continue in line with the requirements. Therefore, Octopus is being developed, modified and re-enforced for different environments, needs and purposes.
International Interest to Octopus
Octopus is attracting attention not only in the country but also abroad as well. Especially Taiwan and Qatar, who make huge investments in cyber security, approached TÜBİTAK for Octopus.
Octopus has made a great success in NATO exercises, yet it is still not certain when it will be extending abroad. However, it seems that many institutions in Turkey will quickly go under the protection of Octopus.