In 2024, cyberattacks on Taiwan’s government departments surged to an average of 2.4 million daily, double the 1.2 million attacks seen in 2023. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reported that most of these attacks were carried out by Chinese cyber forces, targeting key areas such as telecommunications, transportation, and defense.
The Bureau’s report revealed that many of these attacks coincided with Chinese military drills near Taiwan, including DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks that disrupted access to transportation and financial websites. These actions were described as part of a strategy to increase pressure on Taiwan through both digital and physical means.
Hackers reportedly used advanced techniques such as persistent threats, backdoor software, and social engineering to compromise Taiwan’s critical infrastructure, including highways and ports, as well as to steal sensitive information from government officials. The aim, according to the report, is to disrupt Taiwan’s government operations while gaining strategic advantages in politics, military, technology, and economy.
Taiwan sees these cyberattacks as part of China’s larger “grey-zone harassment,” which also includes military exercises and surveillance activities near the island. While China has denied involvement in hacking, it continues to face accusations from Taiwan and other nations, including the United States, which recently blamed Chinese hackers for stealing government documents.
The surge in cyberattacks highlights the increasing severity of the digital threats Taiwan faces, with implications for its security and sovereignty. Despite successfully blocking many attempts, the volume and complexity of these attacks underscore the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
