Taiwan at Cyberwar's Forefront: President Lai Declares Enhanced Defense

Facing China's Digital Assault, Taiwan Ramps Up Cybersecurity Measures.

Taiwan is not just bracing for military pressures but also stands on the frontline of global cyber warfare, President William Lai (賴清德) declared, highlighting the nation's proactive measures to counter these digital attacks.

Speaking at the opening of the Cybersec Expo in Taipei, President Lai (賴清德) reassured international stakeholders of Taiwan's dedication to bolstering its cyber defenses and solidifying its digital infrastructure. He emphasized the government's commitment to tackling the increasing threat landscape.

President Lai (賴清德) cited a report from the National Security Bureau (NSB), revealing a significant surge in intrusion attempts targeting the Government Service Network, averaging 2.4 million daily last year. This figure represents a substantial increase compared to the previous year.

The NSB report specifically highlighted cyberattacks originating from Chinese state-backed hackers, targeting vital government agencies, the high-tech sector, and critical infrastructure within Taiwan.

As part of the recently unveiled National Cybersecurity Strategy, the government plans to bolster the resilience of Taiwanese society, support the industry's ecosystem, and pioneer new technologies to manage evolving risks, President Lai (賴清德) stated. The strategy outlines the government's strategic objectives for the upcoming years in combating prevalent cybersecurity threats.

Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, noted that Taiwan is leading the Asia-Pacific region in terms of cybersecurity threat volume, based on data from US-based cybersecurity firm FortiGuard Labs. A FortiGuard Labs report indicated that of the 412 billion malicious threats detected across the Asia-Pacific region in the first half of 2023, 55 percent were aimed at Taiwan.

He underscored the crucial partnership between the US and Taiwan in cybersecurity, emphasizing that no single economy or government could effectively address these challenges in isolation.

The Cybersec Expo, featuring over 400 cybersecurity brands showcasing their latest innovations and solutions, is scheduled to continue through tomorrow. The three-day event includes approximately 300 talks, with notable speakers like Jan Bartosek, deputy speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and Jason Vogt, an assistant professor at the US Naval War College.