Since 2016, Octopus, the cyber security system actively used by the Turkish Armed Forces, has also successfully passed NATO tests.

People in Turkey heard about the "Octopus" software from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was the last days of December.

Speaking at the award ceremony of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Erdoğan said, "The 'Octopus' software prevented the cyber-attack on the headquarters." This important project suddenly found itself in the news of newspapers and TV channels.

However, the project had been ongoing for years. In fact, the Turkish Armed Forces had been actively using the Octopus software since 2016.

So what exactly is Octopus and how does it work?

Octopus is a cyber security software. In simple terms, it protects computers and the systems that connect them from all kinds of attacks. There are, of course, similar software used commercially around the world and developed for decades. But Octopus is completely local. It works together with Pardus, the operating system developed by Turkish engineers and software developers.

While searching for a name for the software, the development of many security measures with multi-layered, different modules brought to mind octopuses with many arms, so the software was named Octopus.

TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM is running the project

Mehmet Mirat Satoğlu, Director of TÜBİTAK's National Academic Network and Information Center (ULAKBİM), says the software has many features that distinguish it from its peers. The most important difference from other commercial security systems is that it is an integrated system that allows different components to work harmoniously together.

The national software Octopus will be an important step for the development of the open source community in the country. It also has an important place in the second 100-day action plan.

The Octopus Integrated Cyber Security System has features such as firewall, web application, e-mail, intrusion detection/prevention, cyber attack early warning, secure connection and secure internet access systems.

It is also in Turkish, easy to understand, install and operate.

The importance of local software

Every software developer knows the weaknesses of the software they create. Sometimes he creates backdoors, the key to which is in his own pocket. Every leak, every experience changes and transforms the software you buy, making you more dependent as a user.

Buying software from abroad has always been a question mark, especially for government agencies. In a period when cyber war scenarios are spoken so loudly and information security has become so important, it is difficult to trust a foreign software that you do not know when it will cause you trouble.

However, Octopus is a security software developed with domestic resources at every step, right down to the operating system on which it is installed. Therefore, Turkish software developers hold the key to every door.

So how safe is Octopus?

Octopus has high security standards. That's not us saying that, that's NATO.

The software was subjected to an important test by NATO between February 3-6 last year. The security system, which successfully fended off "DDoS attacks" at different time intervals, received full marks from NATO.

Octopus' next test was the NATO - CWIX exercise, this time on June 28, 2018. The software successfully passed all of the cyber security exercise scenarios.

Developed according to the needs of organizations

Developed to meet the security needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), Ahtapot software is now being used in other public institutions. This year, Istanbul Eyüpsultan Municipality entrusted its cyber security to Ahtapot. Installation trials are also being conducted in other institutions. At the same time, development and support activities continue in line with the needs. In other words, Octopus is developing, renewing and strengthening for different environments, needs and purposes.

Interest in Octopus from abroad

Octopus is attracting interest not only at home but also abroad. Especially Taiwan and Qatar, two countries that invest heavily in cyber security, knocked on TÜBİTAK's door for Octopus.

It is not yet clear when the Octopus, which made a big splash in NATO exercises, will extend its arms abroad. However, it seems that many institutions within Turkey will quickly come under the protection of the Octopus.