The Cabinet has approved a four-year plan to invest NT$8.8 billion (US$290.6 million) aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity resilience. The initiative, named the 7th National Cybersecurity Development Program, will target key areas such as developing cybersecurity talent within government agencies and raising public awareness of cybersecurity issues. According to the Cabinet, the program seeks to enhance the information and communication security of Taiwan’s critical infrastructure, including sectors like energy, water resources, transportation, communications, healthcare, and finance.
Tsai Fu-long, head of the Administration for Cyber Security, emphasized the importance of bolstering defense mechanisms across these sectors. Additionally, the program includes initiatives to strengthen Taiwan’s cybersecurity industry by promoting a certification and verification system for information and communication products and utilizing AI-driven technologies to automate defense against potential cyberattacks.
Taiwan’s cybersecurity investment plan
Deputy Digital Affairs Minister Lin Yi-jing highlighted the role of the private sector in this initiative, citing collaboration with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which has established SEMI E187, a specification aimed at enhancing semiconductor information security. The goal is for TSMC and other semiconductor companies to adopt this standard to safeguard the cybersecurity of Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain.
The AI-driven proactive defense system incorporated in the program employs generative AI to track hacker intrusions, identify their methods, and issue early warnings, Tsai added. The government plans to allocate the NT$8.8 billion budget for the program over four years, from 2025 to 2028.
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