Taiwan has been actively strengthening its digital resilience to ensure the security and stability of its digital infrastructure. As a technologically advanced nation with a thriving digital economy, Taiwan recognises the importance of safeguarding its digital assets from various cyber threats and challenges.
Herming Chiueh, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs (moda), recently participated in The Sydney Dialogue to share Taiwan’s experience with the impact of IT development on market mechanisms and the spirit of democracy, as well as how to strengthen digital resilience in the face of increasing cyber security threats.
According to the moda, more than ten countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan, participated in the discussion.
Taiwan has continued to refine its information security measures, including the adoption of Zero-trust architecture (ZTA), the government data transmission platform (T-road), and the Interplanetary File System (IPFS), among others, to enhance the cyber security architecture of government agencies, as noted by Deputy Minister Herming.
Simultaneously, the government is committed to bolstering the public’s digital resiliency, promoting media literacy, and enhancing the domestic news reporting environment so that citizens have easier access to accurate first-hand information.
In addition, MODA intends to implement a non-synchronous orbital satellite project to incorporate satellite communications into the fallback communications network, ensuring that accurate and timely information can be transmitted in the event of any unforeseen event.
The Taiwanese are very receptive to new technologies and have a highly developed sense of human rights. Therefore, the government can formulate Taiwan’s digital policy collaboratively through public-private exchanges, the promotion of digital literacy, and the early incorporation of public input.
According to the moda, the international exchange of digital experiences and new knowledge is an opportunity for Taiwan to demonstrate its strengths and connect with international development and transnational democratic alliances.
With the hope of bringing Taiwan and the international community closer to digital development and transformation, Taiwan has exchanged perspectives with Australia and other nations.
Taiwan, according to Minister Audrey Tang, is a member of the international community and one of the top international hotspots for information security attacks aimed at undermining public trust in the democratic system, and the situation in Taiwan is not a case, nor is it unrelated to Europe.
The Minister added that Taiwan is an essential partner in the global digital democracy and is in the vanguard of the democratic camp against the expansion of the authoritarian system, facing the threat of multiple cyber-attacks from abroad.
As a response, Taiwan has established the moda with “digital resilience for all” as its primary objective. In addition, the moda promotes a zero-trust information security framework of “never trust, always verify”, the adoption of the IPFS for official networks and the joint defence of the global community, and the feasibility of utilising non-synchronous orbiting satellites for emergency backup communication networks. The agency is dedicated to strengthening Taiwan’s digital resilience and its ties to its democratic allies.
The Minister urged all sectors to join Taiwan in its pursuit of digital resilience and to demonstrate the robustness of democracy to the international community. The Minister recently signed the Declaration for the Future of the Internet along with representatives of more than 60 countries, including France. This document refers to value-based cooperation among countries with similar philosophies and a shared commitment to make the Internet a resilient structure for human rights, freedom, and mutual trust.