Taiwan: Standing Strong on the Front Lines of Cyber Warfare

President Lai Ching-te Highlights Taiwan's Cybersecurity Challenges and Commitments

Taipei, April 15 - Taiwan faces not only military pressure but also stands as a major target in the global cybersecurity landscape, according to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Cybersec Expo in Taipei, the President underscored the nation's dedication to fortifying its defenses against cyberattacks and bolstering its digital infrastructure's resilience.

President Lai reassured international diplomats and exhibitors that Taiwan is committed to protecting itself against digital attacks. The government is actively working to address the growing threats.

The National Security Bureau (NSB) reported that the Government Service Network experienced an average of 2.4 million intrusion attempts daily in 2024, more than doubling the figure from 2023. The NSB’s report highlighted attacks from Chinese state-backed hackers, specifically targeting government agencies, the high-tech sector, and critical infrastructure within Taiwan.

Under the recently unveiled National Cybersecurity Strategy, the government intends to strengthen societal resilience, foster the industry's ecosystem, and advance new technologies to counter emerging risks, President Lai Ching-te stated. This strategy defines the government's approach to managing pervasive cybersecurity risks in the years ahead.

Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) Taipei Main Office, noted that Taiwan holds the top position in the Asia-Pacific region for cybersecurity threat volume. He cited data from FortiGuard Labs, a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm. A report by FortiGuard Labs revealed that 412 billion malicious threats were detected across the Asia-Pacific region in the first half of 2023, with 55 percent of those aimed at Taiwan.

Greene emphasized the crucial nature of the partnership between the United States and Taiwan in the cybersecurity arena, recognizing that no single nation or economy can effectively address these challenges independently.

The Cybersec Expo, scheduled to run through Thursday, hosts over 400 cybersecurity brands, presenting their cutting-edge technologies and solutions. The event also features approximately 300 talks, with speakers including Jan Bartošek, deputy speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and Jason Vogt, an assistant professor at the U.S. Naval War College.