On April 20, Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Defense to expand cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan to help them counter cyber threats from China. In 2019, Taiwan’s government estimated that it faced 20 to 40 million cyberattacks every month from China, some of which were later used against the United States.
“The CCP has already launched an attack on Taiwan in cyberspace, from influence operations to directly targeting critical military and public infrastructure,” said Rep. Gallagher. “The effects of this cyber assault can be devastating, and this bill helps arm Taiwan to the teeth in the cyber domain by strengthening Taiwan’s cyber forces and building an even stronger partnership between our two countries to protect the key systems that keep our militaries and economies operational. I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and look forward to hearing back on the progress achieved through this partnership.”
“As a close ally and important strategic partner, Taiwan’s critical infrastructure resilience is absolutely imperative to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act supports our partners by modernizing and strengthening digital capabilities needed to defend key military networks and infrastructure from malicious attacks,” said Rep. Houlahan. “This expanded cooperation ensures Taiwan has access to the training and technology needed to defend itself and enhance its readiness in a region of utmost importance to our national security and the global economy.”
“We must push back on the Chinese Communist Party’s growing aggression, and its attempts to undermine democracy around the world — including through hostile cyber actions. All too often, we’ve seen Taiwan used as a testing ground for China’s cyberattacks later used against the United States,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation to help strengthen U.S. and Taiwan defenses by expanding cybersecurity cooperation between our two nations. As a former computer programmer, I know that by collaborating with key democratic partners like Taiwan, we can more effectively counter cyber threats from China at home and help defend our partners around the world.”
“Taiwan’s security is vital to our own national security,” said Senator Rounds. “Additionally, Taiwan is a robust democracy and market economy whose people share our values. With increasing aggressiveness by the People’s Republic of China toward Taiwan, this legislation will help deter and, if necessary, defeat an attack by the PRC on Taiwan. Strengthening Taiwan’s military cyber capabilities is one of multiple measures needed to build Taiwan into a well-armed porcupine. I am pleased to work with Senator Rosen on legislation aimed at bolstering the defenses of a vital security partner of the United States.”
The bipartisan and bicameral Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act of 2023 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct cybersecurity training exercises with Taiwan; defend the country’s military networks, infrastructure, and systems; leverage U.S. cybersecurity technologies to help defend Taiwan; and eradicate ongoing malicious cyber activity targeting Taiwan.
Issues: Cybersecurity Foreign Policy and National Security
Original source can be found here.
