Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs is in the process of finalizing a comprehensive four-year plan aimed at bolstering the country's digital resilience and addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters and evolving geopolitical landscapes. The plan focuses on two key initiatives: "encrypted distribution" and "cross-border backup," which aim to safeguard critical government data by utilizing advanced encryption techniques and storing backups in overseas locations outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Pending budget approval from the Executive Yuan, the plan is scheduled to commence implementation next year.
Recently, Minister of Digital Affairs, Audrey Tang, emphasized the importance of ensuring Taiwan's digital resilience during a visit to the UK's Department for International Trade. Tang explained that by employing cutting-edge "encrypted distribution" technology, the Ministry is preparing for "cross-border backup" to safeguard crucial data in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Yang Geng-yu, Deputy Director-General of the Digital Government Division, responsible for driving government digital transformation, further elaborated on these concepts.
Regarding cross-border backup, MODA highlighted the analogy of individuals uploading their smartphone data to cloud storage for easy retrieval in the event of device failure. Similarly, government information systems in Taiwan are currently required, under the Cyber Security Management Act, to have data backups located at least 30 kilometers away from the primary site. However, recent conflicts have demonstrated that local backups may also become inaccessible during communication or network disruptions.
To mitigate this risk, the Ministry of Digital Affairs plans to upload government agency data backups to overseas public clouds for an additional layer of redundancy. Similar practices are already being implemented in countries such as the United States, Singapore, and Estonia. However, given the sensitive nature of these data backups, including personal information of citizens and government secrets, encryption is a crucial aspect of the process.
Encrypted distribution involves encrypting the files uploaded to overseas public clouds using algorithms. These encrypted files are then divided into multiple parts and stored in different public cloud environments such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Google, and others. Only when all the parts are combined can the original file be restored, ensuring data security.
While these backup techniques have been employed abroad for years, many domestic enterprises in Taiwan are also adopting similar practices. As for the selection of public cloud providers for cooperation, each agency responsible for data backup implementation will have the autonomy to decide. The primary criterion is that the public cloud provider must offer services outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau while adhering to strict data protection regulations.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs' four-year plan aims to enhance Taiwan's digital resilience by implementing encrypted distribution and cross-border backup strategies. By leveraging advanced technologies and collaborating with trusted public cloud providers, the plan strives to ensure the safety and accessibility of crucial government data. Through these measures, Taiwan seeks to fortify its digital infrastructure, allowing it to better navigate the challenges posed by natural disasters and evolving international circumstances.
Selection of public cloud providers for data backup implementation is determined by each agency. Providers must offer services outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau while maintaining strict data protection standards.Data SecurityEnsuring the safety of sensitive data, including citizen personal information and government secrets, through the use of encryption techniques during distribution and storage processes.Digital ResilienceStrengthening Taiwan's digital infrastructure to effectively respond to unforeseen circumstances, including natural disasters and evolving international situations.Government DataFocus on protecting critical data held by government agencies, including citizen personal information and government secrets.
| Focus Aeas | Description |
|---|---|
| Encrypted Distribution | Utilizing algorithms to encrypt files uploaded to overseas public clouds and dividing them into multiple parts stored in different public cloud environments. Ensures data security by requiring all parts to be combined for file restoration. |
| Cross-Border Backup | Uploading government agency data backups to overseas public clouds, enhancing data redundancy and reducing risks associated with local backups. Ensures data accessibility during communication or network disruptions. |
| Cooperation with Public Cloud Providers | Selection of public cloud providers for data backup implementation is determined by each agency. Providers must offer services outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau while maintaining strict data protection standards. |
| Data Security | Ensuring the safety of sensitive data, including citizen personal information and government secrets, through the use of encryption techniques during distribution and storage processes. |
| Digital Resilience | Strengthening Taiwan's digital infrastructure to effectively respond to unforeseen circumstances, including natural disasters and evolving international situations. |
| Government Data | Focus on protecting critical data held by government agencies, including citizen personal information and government secrets. |
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