Cyber security company Barikat announced that a significant change has taken place in its management process. Operating under the Tera Group since 2024, Barikat Cyber Security has been assigned the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) as a trustee, in line with the decision of the relevant judicial authorities.

The company announced that during the new management period, the continuity of the cyber security services offered to customers will be preserved, existing commitments will be fulfilled, and the efficiency of operational processes will be increased. Pending administrative and financial transactions are planned to be prioritized and concluded promptly.

Mastercard has shared the Turkey findings of its Dreamonomics research, which examines how SMEs view success and the future of their businesses. Published under Dreamonomics — Mastercard’s research and insights platform for SMEs — the report looks at businesses’ growth targets and the support they need to achieve them.

In Turkey, 75% of SMEs prioritize predictability in their business, compared to 68% in the global research. 69% of SMEs are excited about the opportunities AI offers, while 82% consider it critical that the tools they use in their business work in a compatible and integrated way. Protection against cyber threats stands out as an important priority for 79% of SMEs.

Turkey findings of the Dreamonomics research

Stability and predictability come to the fore: In Turkey, 75% of SMEs say they prioritize predictability in their business in order to feel confident about a stable future, compared to 68% in the global research. 52% of respondents say they avoid taking risks in business in order to make their financial situation more predictable.

Interest in business-specific financial solutions is high: 91% of SMEs in Turkey that currently use personal credit cards for business purposes say they are interested in switching to commercial cards designed specifically for their businesses — reflecting a strong need among businesses to better manage their financial processes and separate business expenses from personal ones.

Strong customer relationships matter as much as reaching a broad audience: 51% of SMEs in Turkey prefer building deep relationships with their customers even if it means reaching a more limited customer base.

Cybersecurity supports growth: 79% of SMEs in Turkey consider protecting their business from cyber threats an important priority, compared to 71% in the global research. However, only 40% use cybersecurity tools such as antivirus software and firewalls.

Interest in AI is high: 69% of SMEs in Turkey are excited about the new possibilities AI offers for their business. Interest in AI-powered fraud prevention and security solutions is recorded at 36%.

Integrated digital tools are needed: 82% of SMEs in Turkey consider it critical that the tools they use in their business work in a compatible and integrated way, compared to 78% in the global research.

Mastercard Turkey and Azerbaijan General Manager Onur Faydacı commented on the findings: “When we look at the priorities of SMEs in Turkey, we see that the desire for growth goes hand in hand with a strong need for confidence and predictability. While businesses are capturing the opportunities offered by AI and integrated digital tools, they also see cybersecurity and the management of financial processes as fundamental elements of growth. This picture shows that SMEs do not view technology merely as a tool, but as one of the core components of a more resilient and sustainable business structure. We believe in the role of technology, trust, and partnerships in unlocking the potential of businesses. We continue to offer solutions and insights that support SME growth, help them protect against risks, and strengthen their payment processes.”

About the research

The quantitative phase of the research, conducted by Hypothesis on behalf of Mastercard, was carried out between February 23 and April 1, 2026 across 18 markets including Turkey. A total of 6,615 business owners, founders, and senior decision-makers from businesses with fewer than 250 employees participated in the online survey.

Softtech and İşNet have signed a strategic partnership for Zoka Suite, a local cybersecurity solution that enables organizations to test and train their employees against phishing attacks and respond quickly to suspicious emails. Bringing phishing simulations and suspicious email management together on a single platform, the solution ensures that data remains within the organization.

Softtech General Manager M. Bülent Özçengel commented on Zoka Suite’s contribution to the ecosystem: “As Softtech, we have developed Zoka Suite to bring phishing simulation, employee training and suspicious email management together on a single platform, providing organizations with a comprehensive security approach that covers the process from testing to response. Through our strategic partnership with İşNet, we are bringing Softtech’s engineering and product development capabilities together with İşNet’s extensive sales, service and customer network. In this way, we aim to make this local solution available to more organizations and continuously enhance Zoka Suite’s capabilities to strengthen organizations’ cyber resilience.”

İşNet General Manager Mehmet Fahri Can also commented on the partnership: “As cyber threats continue to diversify, organizations’ cybersecurity needs are also increasing. Employee awareness has become an important component of organizations’ security strategies. Through our partnership with Softtech, we have added Zoka Suite to our cybersecurity portfolio, offering our customers a comprehensive solution that brings together processes ranging from employee awareness to the analysis and management of suspicious emails on a single platform.”

Yiğit Çağlayan, who has more than 25 years of experience in banking, payment systems, and financial technologies, has been appointed General Manager of TOM Katılım Bankası. In his new role, Çağlayan will lead the bank’s growth strategy and its next-phase objectives in digital banking.

Çağlayan takes over the position from Onur Özkan, whose departure had been widely discussed in industry circles ahead of today’s official announcement.

Çağlayan was appointed General Manager of Mastercard Turkey and Azerbaijan in 2018. He subsequently joined GetirFinans, where he served as founding CEO for approximately five years.