Taiwan’s cybersecurity industry looks to expand globally
Following decades of steady progress backed by a long-standing emphasis on high-tech development and strong government support, Taiwan’s cybersecurity industry is looking to expand its presence on the global market.
Recent years have seen major data breaches in the government and private sectors reported worldwide, highlighting the growing threat posed by cybercrime for individuals and institutions at all levels. This has led to a spike in demand for security solutions.
“Faced with serious cyberthreats and related challenges, Taiwan has actively promoted policies built around the concept that information security is national security,” said Jyan Hong-wei, director general of the Department of Cyber Security under the Executive Yuan. “This is evidenced by the inclusion of cybersecurity in the six core strategic industries unveiled by President Tsai Ing-wen during her 2020 inauguration speech.”
The initiative aims to develop globally trusted data security systems while strengthening the defenses of the country’s critical infrastructure and major industries. A variety of digital security tools designed and produced by domestic companies are already widely used at home and abroad.
Emerging as a world leader in cybersecurity is Trend Micro Inc., which was founded in 1988 in the U.S. by Taiwan entrepreneur Steve Chang. With its global R&D center based in Taipei City, the company develops security software for more than 500,000 enterprises worldwide and has established strategic alliances with U.S. tech giants like Amazon.com Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., IBM and Microsoft. It topped the Best Taiwan Global Brands 2020 list with an estimated brand value of US$1.64 billion, illustrating the critical role of digital security technology in the internet era.
“I applaud the government’s decision to include cybersecurity as one of the six core strategic industries,” said Bob Hung, general manager of Taiwan and Hong Kong Business Unit at Trend Micro’s Taipei office. “Cybersecurity provides the foundation for all industrial sectors to grow their businesses and enable digital transformation.”
Likewise, Jeff Hung, general manager of Taipei-based CHT Security Co., welcomes government support measures. “The inclusion of cybersecurity in the six core strategic industries is a huge boon to those in the business,” he said. “The policy brings expanded government assistance with experimentation facilities, finance, talent cultivation, technology and regulatory frameworks.”
Established in 2018, the company is a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom Co., Taiwan’s largest telecommunications service provider. It offers security risk assessment and management as well as digital forensics for consumers, enterprises and government agencies, with its next-generation defense technologies receiving a U.S.-based Infosec Excellence Award and U.K.-based Infosec Quality Award.
According to CHT’s Hung, public-private and cross-sector partnerships are playing a crucial role in delivering results and meeting the policy’s objectives. “For our part, we’re ready to team up with other high-tech companies to bring secure products utilizing entirely homegrown hardware and software components to the international market,” he said. “Through interindustry collaboration and strong government support, Taiwan is set to become a world leader in cybersecurity.” (E) (By Kelly Her)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
(This article is adapted from Defending Cyberspace in the May/June 2021 issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)