TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s semiconductor sector is facing elevated cyberattack risks as global threats rise, according to a new report, per Nikkei Asia.
A study by Check Point Software Technologies found that computer hardware and semiconductor companies in Taiwan and China are among the most heavily targeted sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan alone recorded an average of 7,393 weekly cyberattacks, underscoring its central role in chip production.
The report said cyberattacks worldwide increased 18% in 2025 from a year earlier, with organizations facing an average of 1,968 attacks per week. That compares with 1,673 in 2024 and 1,162 in 2023, marking a sharp upward trend.
Asia-Pacific was identified as one of the most exposed regions, with an average of 2,909 weekly attacks per organization. Within the region, the semiconductor and hardware sector saw 4,006 weekly attacks, more than double the global average.
Check Point Threat Intelligence Group Manager Sergey Shykevich said many attacks targeting semiconductor firms are linked to state-aligned actors. He cited competition over technology, supply chains, and intellectual property as key drivers.
The report said cyber activity is increasingly tied to geopolitical tensions. Conflicts such as those involving Russia and Ukraine, Iran and Israel, and India and Pakistan have coincided with spikes in cyber operations.
Such attacks are often used not only for espionage but also for signaling and strategic pressure, according to Nikkei Asia. Shykevich said this trend blurs the line between state-backed operations and financially motivated cybercrime.
While Taiwan’s semiconductor sector faces heightened risks, other parts of Asia-Pacific are also affected. The report identified education as the most targeted sector in the region, particularly in India.
India recorded the highest volume of attacks on educational institutions, with an average of 7,684 incidents per week. Schools and universities are seen as vulnerable due to large data holdings and relatively open networks, per the report.
