Advanced technologies developed by the Turkish defence industry to protect border security and military facilities are now being placed at the service of disadvantaged citizens. The Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) and the Ministry of Family and Social Services have signed a critical cooperation protocol for the "CANGÖZ" project. Thanks to this agreement, an era of AI-supported domestic surveillance systems begins in nursing homes and children's homes. The CANGÖZ project stands out as one of the most successful examples of transferring engineering experience gained in the defence industry to civilian use (spin-off).
The engineering knowledge of the defence industry now directly touches civilian life. The CANGÖZ Project, signed with the participation of SSB President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün and Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, opens a new page in Türkiye's technology vision. This move represents not just a hardware procurement but the integration of high technology developed to military standards into public services.
The Intelligence Protecting Borders Now Saves Lives
Integrating technologies produced in the defence industry into civilian life is referred to as Dual-Use Technology in global technology ecosystems. Systems developed to military standards possess very high reliability and zero error tolerance.
This approach, emphasised by Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, is at the very heart of the CANGÖZ project. For example, AI algorithms trained to detect infiltration or movement along the border are now assigned a new task with this project. The system will be able to detect within seconds an elderly citizen falling or falling ill in a nursing home, or an unusual situation in a children's home. Thus, R&D investments made for national security transform into a civilian tool protecting human dignity.
Military-Standard Privacy and Cybersecurity
Social service institutions are among the areas where privacy must be protected at the highest level. Therefore, the cybersecurity of the collected data is of great importance.
The SSB is directly transferring its encryption and cybersecurity expertise from defence projects to these institutions. The domestic camera and monitoring systems to be developed will operate on a special architecture closed to the external internet (Intranet/Closed Network). Furthermore, the system will function in full compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK). As a result, risks of external cyberattacks or image leaks are prevented with military-grade measures.
Rapid Response with Early Warning
The new system does not merely offer a passive camera infrastructure for recording. Instead, it works like an active AI assistant scanning the environment 24/7.
The main benefits the CANGÖZ system will provide in the field include:
- Anomaly Detection: The system detects immobility, falls, or abnormal behaviour in the environment.
- Early Warning: In case of a potential emergency, it instantly alerts health or security personnel.
- Eliminating Human Error: Algorithms capture details that might escape the human eye or be missed due to fatigue.
Technology Transfer from Defence to Civilian Industry
Türkiye has built significant R&D expertise in the defence industry over many years. The country is now transferring this technological depth to civilian sectors such as health, energy, and transportation. The CANGÖZ project, announced in collaboration with the SSB and the Ministry of Family, will be rolled out across Türkiye with a phased installation model following pilot applications.
In conclusion, this move proves that the high technology produced by Turkish engineers stands not only beyond the borders but also with the most vulnerable segments of society. Through this technology transfer to civilian areas, the defence industry is successfully leading the country's comprehensive digitalisation.
