Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, the highest legislative body representing the people of Taiwan, is under constant cyber threat, with Chinese hackers launching an average of 900,000 to 1 million attacks per month. This concerning information was shared by Cheng Hui-pin, the head of the Legislative Yuan’s Information Technology department, in a response to questions posed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chung Chia-pin. The cyberattacks are part of a broader effort by China to infiltrate Taiwan’s critical infrastructure and potentially compromise sensitive national security data.
The Legislative Yuan’s network, which handles sensitive legislative and governmental information, is a prime target for cybercriminals and state-sponsored hacking groups. With its key role in the country’s legislative process, the vulnerabilities within this network present a significant risk to national security. A breach of this network could have serious consequences, not only for Taiwan’s legislative operations but also for its international standing and diplomatic security.
In addition to the massive volume of cyberattacks, there are growing concerns about the quality and stability of the Legislative Yuan’s internal infrastructure. Legislator Chung Chia-pin noted that the Wi-Fi within the building is slow and prone to frequent outages, further hampering the efficiency of operations. Moreover, issues such as poorly functioning microphones in the legislature’s committees were raised, impacting the ability to conduct business effectively and even potentially damaging hearing due to excessive volume.
Despite these challenges, the IT department has been tasked with addressing these security concerns and improving the system’s stability. The revelation of these cybersecurity threats highlights the increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Taiwan and underscores the need for a stronger response to protect the nation’s sensitive data. With the continued threat from Chinese hackers, Taiwan will need to bolster its cybersecurity measures to ensure the protection of its legislative functions and secure its national interests.
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