{"id":13299,"date":"2016-07-07T17:21:02","date_gmt":"2016-07-07T17:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2016\/07\/07\/commerce-rebrands-turkey-trip-as-cyber-security-mission\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:35:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:35:50","slug":"commerce-rebrands-turkey-trip-as-cyber-security-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/management\/2016\/07\/07\/commerce-rebrands-turkey-trip-as-cyber-security-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"Commerce rebrands Turkey trip as \u2018Cyber Security Mission\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Few would argue against the notion that cybersecurity has become a hot topic in government and industry circles. But now and again there are clear, unassailable signs that this is the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One such sign comes from the Commerce Department International Trade Administration’s (ITA) upcoming trip to Turkey. As of July 7, the “Information and Communication Technology Trade Mission” has officially been renamed the “Cyber Security Trade Mission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice:\u00a0<\/strong>Trade Mission to Turkey<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(The dates for the trip have also shifted from Nov. 28-Dec. 1 to Dec. 5-8, citing the original dates’ proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cybersecurity was already a planned focus for the trip \u2014\u00a0which was announced on Dec. 10, 2015 \u2014\u00a0though it was segmented as a subsector, along with e-commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The mission will focus on promoting trade between U.S. tech companies and their Turkish counterparts, as well as trade associations and high-level and local government officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The mission will visit Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey where U.S. firms will have access to business development opportunities,” according to the original announcement<\/a>. “Participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of products and services to Turkey.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four-day schedule is packed with networking opportunities and one-on-one meetings with “pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners,” as well as government officials from both countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In explaining the mission’s goals, ITA officials note the data protection market in Turkey is on track to reach $250 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Turkey is among the 10 most attacked countries in the world which suffer from high profile cyber threats,” according to the Trade Mission website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Turkish government has enacted action plans and IT modernization reforms to meet this threat; doing business with qualified U.S. firms is part of those plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with the change in name and scope, ITA is urging cybersecurity companies interested in joining the mission to sign up by the deadline, which has been extended to Sept. 16. The pool is limited to 15-20 U.S. firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies will be evaluated based on three criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n