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.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the