TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s telecom and biotech sectors recorded the highest share of cybersecurity incidents over the past six months, the National Institute of Cyber Security said Tuesday.

NICS said both sectors each accounted for 16.1% of reported cases, per CNA. Electronic components and the automotive industry followed at 9.6% each, while several other sectors, including electronics distribution and tourism, each accounted for 6.5%.

The institute said cyber risks are no longer confined to specific industries. It urged all sectors to strengthen endpoint protection and account management.

Most incidents were linked to user behavior rather than advanced attacks. The largest share stemmed from downloading software from unknown sources at 52.1%, followed by application vulnerabilities at 11.6%, and brute-force password attacks and social engineering at 9.2% each.

Other causes included operating system vulnerabilities, poor web design, and human error. The institute said these findings show many breaches stem from routine activities rather than sophisticated methods.

The institute warned that some responses focus only on isolating compromised devices without checking for leaked credentials. This allows attackers to regain access using existing identities.

Organizations should monitor endpoint behavior and control high-risk activities to reduce overall risk, the institute said.