69 MARTINDALE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE tures require a government response. The platforms successfully contributed to more than 20 digital policies, although critics question their effectiveness in creating substantive reforms (Ho, 2022). The dedication to democratic digital transformation led to the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) in August 2022. Unlike similar agencies in other countries focusing only on technological advancement, MODA must balance innovation with defending against some of the world’s most sophisticated state-sponsored cyberattacks. The ministry currently leads the National Cybersecurity Strategy, working with the National Institute of Cyber Security to deploy AI-driven threat detection systems across critical infrastructure. The ministry applies big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology to defend against constant attacks (Ministry of Digital Affairs, 2025). This article argues that Taiwan’s integration of civic tech, democratic participation, and advanced cybersecurity infrastructure represents a distinctive model of digital resilience that not only defends against authoritarian cyber threats but also strengthens democratic governance itself. The comprehensive approach—from technical defenses to citizen engagement—leverages Taiwan’s participatory values as a strategic advantage in cybersecurity. Current cybersecurity threats Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted the international community to boost cybersecurity investments. Similarly, increasing geopolitical tensions led Taiwan to increase its cyber defense spending. The Presidential Office allocated NT$38.97 million for cybersecurity in 2020, representing an increase of more than 50% (Chun-hui & Hetherington, 2020). By early 2023, cyberattacks had increased 80% compared to previous years. Attackers launched 15,000 attempts per second, which made up 55% of all documented incidents within the Indo-Pacific region. As Figure 1 shows, 2024 saw yet more aggressive attacks, especially from China. The National Security Bureau registered 2.4 million cyberattacks on government networks. Source: Secretariat, National Security Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan), 2025. Political events trigger higher frequencies of cyberattacks. The MODA recorded increased phishing emails and malicious links attempting to extract private information during the January 2024 elections period (Lorci, 2024). Because the elections use paper ballots, direct digital interference is impossible. However, the attackers targeted government facilities, law enforcement organizations, and financial institutions. Taiwanese government websites experienced distributed denial-of-service attacks exceeding normal traffic by 23 times when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited in August 2022 (Chang, 2024). Cyberattacks from China now target multiple essential sectors: government agencies, critical inFigure 1 Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan in 2023 and 2024 Source: Secretariat, National Security Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan), 2025. Figure 1 Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan in 2023 and 2024 Figure 1 Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan in 2023 and 2024 Source: Secretariat, National Security Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan), 2025.
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