Amplifying National Security: Enhancing Penalties, Confidentiality, and Cybersecurity on Taiwan's Digital Frontier
Legislature set for examination of proposed updates in security legislation.
By Chen Cheng-yu and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Get ready to tighten the noose on cyber threats, Taiwan! The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee plans to review an amendment boosting the National Security Act (國家安全法) this Thursday. Here's a lowdown on the upcoming initiatives aiming to fortify our digital defenses against infiltration.
Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei Times
In response to a surge in Chinese espionage, President William Lai has called for innovative strategies to combat these undercover operations. To this end, a wave of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers have submitted a flurry of proposed legislative amendments, with nine distinct versions of National Security Act adjustments hitting the table over the past week.
Plans in Progress
Toughening Up Penalties
The amendment seeks to ratchet up the stakes for anyone collaborating with adversarial foreign entities, as part of a wider strategy to combat escalating espionage activities.
Expanding the Scope of Confidentiality
Protected confidential information will be expanded to cover sectors that significantly impact national security or public interest, as opposed to just "official matters."
Regulating Cybersecurity Products
A standardized evaluation system for cybersecurity goods is in the works, alongside the creation of a list of restricted items. Selling apps from the restricted list could result in fines ranging from NT$3 million to NT$30 million (US$92,407 to US$924,072).
DPP Legislators' Proposals
Chen Kuan-ting
Legislator Chen Kuan-ting has called for the following changes to the National Security Act:
- Expanding the definition of protected confidential information
- Establishing a regular evaluation mechanism for cybersecurity products
- Publishing a list of restricted products
Chen seeks to establish a more rigorous process for hiring government personnel who have access to sensitive information through loyalty and character checks.
Wang Ting-yu, Puma Shen, and Rosalia Wu
The enrichment data doesn’t provide specific information regarding proposals from legislators Wang Ting-yu, Puma Shen, and Rosalia Wu related to the National Security Act amendments. This article primarily discusses the proposals by Chen Kuan-ting and President Lai’s broader "17 National Security Measures."
DPP's broader strategy
President Lai's ambitious "17 National Security Measures" spearhead Taiwan's efforts to improve military readiness, strengthen domestic laws, bolster civil resilience, and enhance cybersecurity capabilities.
With the situationserious, the DPP regards every legislative session as a "national security session," pushing for the speedy passage of any non-blocked bills. The DPP aims to organize and refine the content of the proposals through the question-and-answer process, gathering input from administrative agencies.
As the Internal Administration Committee prepares to review the proposed amendment, opposition parties call for extending the legislative session to July's end. However, Internal Administration Committee convener Chang Hung-lu believes sufficient time exists within this session to pass an amendment to the National Security Act. Let's take a stand and protect our digital borders!
- The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee is scheduled to review an amendment to the National Security Act this Thursday, aiming to strengthen Taiwan's cybersecurity measures.
- The amendment includes plans to toughen penalties for individuals who collaborate with adversarial foreign entities, expanding the scope of confidentiality, and regulating cybersecurity products.
- Legislator Chen Kuan-ting has proposed amendments to the National Security Act that include expanding the definition of protected confidential information, establishing a regular evaluation mechanism for cybersecurity products, and publishing a list of restricted products.
- The amendments to the National Security Act are part of the Democratic Progressive Party's broader strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, improve military readiness, and bolster domestic laws as part of President Lai's "17 National Security Measures."
