Taiwan ranks fourth globally in cybersecurity threats, Microsoft report warns

According to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report covering July 2025 to June 2026, Taiwan ranks fourth globally and first in the Asia-Pacific region for the frequency of cybersecurity threats. Microsoft observed 193 incidents related to nation-state activities involving Taiwan during this period.

Globally, government agencies and public services have become the primary targets for cyber threats, with their share of impacted sectors rising from 17% in 2025 to 27% in 2026. These entities are targeted due to their control over sensitive information and critical infrastructure. The report notes an increase in 'dwell time,' where attackers remain undetected in systems for longer periods, and a significant rise in phishing attacks, which accounted for 23% of intrusions in 2026 compared to 7% in 2025.

Microsoft highlighted that 52.2% of intrusions involving valid accounts led to further credential theft, allowing attackers to expand their reach. To enhance resilience, the report recommends that governments focus on five priorities: preparing for rapid AI-driven threats, integrating security into AI ecosystems, planning for incident escalation, promoting real-time public-private information sharing, and ensuring the continuity of critical services during attacks.