The Executive Yuan yesterday approved a four-year plan to spend NT$8.8 billion (US$290.4 million) to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity resilience.
The Seventh National Cybersecurity Development Program is to focus on key areas such as developing cybersecurity talent within government agencies and raising public awareness of cybersecurity issues, the Executive Yuan said.
The program also aims to strengthen the information and communications security of critical infrastructure, and enhance defense mechanisms.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
The critical infrastructure spans at least six sectors: energy, water resources, transportation, communications, healthcare and welfare, and finance, Administration for Cyber Security Director-General Tsai Fu-long (蔡福隆) told a news conference.
The program would also focus on strengthening the cybersecurity industry by promoting a certification and verification system for information and communications products, and using artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies to automate protection against potential cyberattacks.
Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬) said a key feature of the program would be to leverage the strength of the private sector and help it expand internationally.
Citing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) as an example, Lin said the Ministry of Digital Affairs has collaborated with the company to establish SEMI E187, a specification for fab equipment that strengthens semiconductor information security.
The goal is for TSMC and other semiconductor companies to adopt the standard to help protect the cybersecurity of the nation’s semiconductor supply chain, he said.
The AI-driven proactive defense system uses generative AI to track hacker intrusions, identify their methods of attack and issue early warnings, Tsai said.
The government plans to allocate NT$8.8 billion for the program over a four-year period from this year to 2028.
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