Taiwan Faces 2.4 Million Cyberattacks Daily: The Rise of ‘Greyzone’ Warfare

January 7th 2025

Credit: Hong Kong Free Press

In Summary:

Taiwan experienced a staggering 2.4 million daily cyberattacks in 2024, with most attributed to Chinese hackers, according to Taiwan’s National Security Bureau. These attacks, targeting critical sectors such as defense, telecommunications, and transportation, highlight the growing sophistication of China's cyber activities. A significant portion of the incidents were linked to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks during Beijing’s military drills near Taiwan, further intensifying cross-strait tensions.

At the core of these operations is China’s use of “greyzone” tactics - actions designed to harass and destabilize without crossing the threshold of open warfare. Greyzone attacks, including cyber intrusions and economic coercion, exploit ambiguity to challenge adversaries while avoiding direct military confrontation. Such tactics enable deniability, allowing Beijing to advance its claims over Taiwan while maintaining plausible diplomatic relations globally.

While Taiwan successfully intercepted many attacks, the sheer volume underscores a pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity. The international community, including the U.S., has expressed growing concern over Beijing's state-sponsored hacking, although China denies involvement, dismissing allegations as "groundless."

The rising prevalence of greyzone strategies raises a critical question: how can nations counter these covert threats without escalating into open conflict? As digital frontiers become the new battleground, balancing resilience and deterrence remains key.

Read the full article at: HK Free Press