Deputy Minister Herming Chiueh of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (the MODA) led a delegation to the United States and attended the DEF CON conference on the afternoon of the 10th local time. He delivered a speech titled “Challenges and Responses: Taiwan’s Cybersecurity and Communication Resilience,” sharing Taiwan’s experiences with international security experts.

The MODA stated that DEF CON is one of the most renowned cybersecurity conferences worldwide, attracting numerous cybersecurity professionals, hacking experts, government officials, media, and students globally each year. This year marks the 32nd conference, held from August 8 to 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, covering topics such as cybersecurity competitions, forums, and Policy villages. The Policy Village invited key decision-makers from government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other countries to discuss cybersecurity-related issues. Deputy Minister Chiueh was also invited to share Taiwan’s experiences in this session.

During the conference, Deputy Minister Chiueh highlighted that because of its unique economic and strategic geographical position, Taiwan is prone to natural threats like earthquakes and typhoons, as well as geopolitical risks. In response, Taiwan has been actively strengthening national cybersecurity and digital communication resilience. He referenced the cyberattacks that occurred during the former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 and the Tsai-McCarthy Meeting in 2023 to illustrate Taiwan’s improvements in cybersecurity defense systems and joint defense frameworks against emerging cyber threats. Additionally, he discussed how the MODA utilized LEO satellites to establish disaster relief networks during the March 2023 submarine cable disruption between Matsu and Taiwan’s main island, and the Hualien earthquake in April 2024, showcasing Taiwan’s concrete actions to enhance communication resilience. After the speech, Deputy Minister Chiueh engaged in discussions with cybersecurity professionals and groups from various countries.

Deputy Director-General Hsin-Ming Cheng of the Administration for Cybersecurity also attended the conference to explain how Taiwan’s public sector and domestic cybersecurity communities, such as Hacks in Taiwan (HITCON), have established communication channels and trust mechanisms over the years, leveraging their vast community power to promote and enhance cybersecurity technical defense capabilities among students, businesses, and government employees.

Additionally, during the conference, Deputy Minister Chiueh visited the DEF CON Capture The Flag competition venue to support the Taiwanese participants and presented them with a good luck box, offering his best wishes for their success in the competition.

The MODA stated that it will continue to strengthen interactions with domestic and international cybersecurity communities, aiming to integrate government and private sector efforts to enhance national cybersecurity governance and defense capabilities. By participating in top international cybersecurity conferences and related activities, Taiwan hopes to increase its visibility to the world, promote cross-border cooperation and exchanges, and further enhance its international visibility and overall competitiveness.