Cyberattacks on Taiwan Government Departments Double in 2024
Rise in Attacks Linked to Chinese Cyber Forces
Taipei has seen a significant increase in cyberattacks on government departments, with the National Security Bureau reporting that the number of attacks doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year. The bureau revealed that Taiwan’s Government Service Network (GSN) received a daily average of 2.4 million attacks last year, up from 1.2 million in 2023.
Most Attacks Attributed to Chinese Cyber Forces
According to the report, most of the attacks were launched by China’s cyber forces, with telecommunications, transportation, and defense being among the top targets. The report noted that although many of the attacks were effectively detected and blocked, the growing number of attacks highlights the increasingly severe nature of China’s hacking activities.
China Denies Involvement in Hacking Attacks
China has denied involvement in hacking attacks, but has been frequently accused by foreign governments, including the United States, which recently claimed that Chinese hackers stole documents from the U.S. Treasury Department.
Purpose of Attacks
The Taiwanese report stated that China launched some of the attacks to coincide with Chinese military drills around the island, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks designed to disrupt access to web pages of Taiwan’s transportation and financial institutions. The move was intended to "intensify the harassment effect and military intimidation."
Beijing’s Military Drills
Beijing staged two rounds of major exercises around Taiwan last year, one in May and one in October, dubbed Joint Sword – 2024A and B respectively. The exercises were seen as a pressure tactic to force Taipei to accept Beijing’s sovereignty claim.
Targets of Attacks
China’s cyber forces targeted Taiwanese civil servants’ emails and launched attacks including social engineering in attempts to steal confidential information. The report also revealed that China employed techniques including advanced persistent threats and backdoor software to try to infiltrate and compromise Taiwan’s key infrastructure, including highways and ports.
Conclusion
The significant increase in cyberattacks on Taiwan government departments highlights the ongoing threat posed by China’s cyber forces. The attacks are a clear attempt to disrupt Taiwan’s government operations and gain advantages in the fields of politics, military, technology, and economy. It is essential for Taiwan to continue to strengthen its cybersecurity measures to protect its government and citizens from these threats.
FAQs
- What is the number of daily cyberattacks on Taiwan government departments?
- The number of daily cyberattacks on Taiwan government departments doubled in 2024 to an average of 2.4 million attacks per day.
- Who is responsible for the majority of the attacks?
- The majority of the attacks were launched by China’s cyber forces.
- What are the main targets of the attacks?
- The main targets of the attacks include telecommunications, transportation, defense, and key infrastructure such as highways and ports.
- Has China been involved in similar hacking attacks in the past?
- Yes, China has been accused of involvement in hacking attacks by foreign governments, including the United States.