University of Nottingham’s Policy Report on UK-Taiwan Cybersecurity Cooperation
What You Should Know
The University of Nottingham’s Taiwan Research Hub has published a policy report titled UK-Taiwan Cooperation in Cyber Security: Challenges and Opportunities. This timely publication offers a detailed overview of how the United Kingdom and Taiwan are navigating the rising threat landscape in cyberspace while building a strategic partnership grounded in mutual interest and democratic values.
Taiwan faces daily cyber threats from China, while the UK is scaling its cybersecurity infrastructure to assert itself as a global digital power. These parallel trajectories are converging through joint research programs, satellite infrastructure partnerships, and shared efforts to address emerging threats such as AI-enabled cyberattacks and digital supply chain vulnerabilities.
This CyberSec Taiwan Report Insight highlights the key points from the report in plain terms, offering eight focused takeaways along with context to explain why they matter and how they fit into the bigger picture of UK-Taiwan cyber cooperation.
Before diving into those insights, it is worth seeing how the two countries compare on key dimensions of their cybersecurity strategies, capabilities, and partnerships. The following table provides a side-by-side look.
1. Taiwan Treats Cybersecurity as National Survival
Taiwan’s cybersecurity strategy is not limited to defending digital systems; it is central to the nation’s survival. Taiwan has responded to years of Chinese cyber intrusion by reshaping its institutional landscape and elevating cybersecurity to the highest levels of national strategy.
Under President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan:
Created the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) and the Administration for Cyber Security (under MODA)
Enacted the Cyber Security Management Act and amended the National Security Act to include cyberspace
Built a multi-agency defense model, known initially as the “Iron Triad”, now expanded to include six major national actors
The country is currently implementing Phase 6 of its National Cyber Security Program, with Phase 7 planned for 2025, which will increase collaboration across sectors and deepen infrastructure protection.
Why It Matters: Taiwan’s experience shows how to institutionalize cybersecurity under constant threat. Its policy trajectory offers lessons for other democracies facing state-backed cyber aggression.
2. The UK Has Stepped Up Its Global Cyber Role
The UK aims to become a world-leading democratic cyber power by 2030. It has already taken key steps:
Developed three successive National Cyber Strategies
Launched the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and National Cyber Force (NCF)
Advanced a strategy of Active Cyber Defence to neutralize threats proactively
A forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will expand regulatory oversight and enhance supply chain protections.
Why It Matters: The UK’s shift toward deterrence and resilience aligns well with Taiwan’s strategic priorities. Collaboration serves the UK’s Indo-Pacific strategy while strengthening global norms on digital defense.
3. Both Countries Face Shared Risks
Taiwan and the UK are both frequent targets of state-sponsored cyberattacks, often originating from China. They are also navigating:
A rise in AI-driven cyber threats
Persistent cybersecurity talent shortages
Both countries have launched national workforce development strategies and cyber education pipelines, but gaps remain.
Why It Matters: Facing similar risks allows the two countries to share best practices and co-develop solutions, especially in workforce development and threat intelligence.
4. Taiwan Chose OneWeb Over Starlink for Strategic Reasons
Taiwan secured satellite internet coverage by partnering with Eutelsat OneWeb, a UK-backed provider, instead of Starlink. The decision was influenced by:
Taiwan’s legal requirement for majority domestic ownership in telecom services
Concerns over Elon Musk’s business exposure to China
The partnership with OneWeb, supported by the UK government, offers Taiwan complete LEO coverage as of 2024.
Why It Matters: Satellite infrastructure now plays a critical role in national resilience. The UK’s involvement signals strategic trust and positions it as a quiet but essential cyber ally.
5. Trade and Tech Partnerships Are Key Channels
The UK and Taiwan have taken incremental but meaningful steps:
Signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) in 2023
Launched R&D projects through Innovate UK and Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
Areas of cooperation: semiconductors, space tech, 5G/6G, AI, and IoT.
Why It Matters: These deals strengthen economic ties while avoiding the diplomatic pitfalls of a formal defense alliance. It’s tech diplomacy with strategic impact.
6. The GCTF Is a Quiet Power Platform
Through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), the UK and Taiwan co-host regional workshops and training programs. In 2024, the UK joined Taiwan, the United States, and Japan in leading a telecom resilience session.
Why It Matters: GCTF is a low-profile, high-impact platform for engaging Taiwan in international capacity building. For the UK, it offers access to Indo-Pacific digital diplomacy without provoking a major political response from China.
7. Semiconductors and AI Are at the Core
Taiwan manufactures the world’s most advanced chips. The UK designs them and is investing heavily in AI governance and safety. While Taiwan is excluded from many formal global AI forums, its expertise is increasingly integrated into bilateral partnerships.
Why It Matters: The intersection of semiconductors and AI is where economics and national security converge. The UK and Taiwan can jointly shape trusted, resilient, and secure supply chains for emerging technologies.
8. China’s Reaction Is Always a Variable
The UK must carefully navigate engagement with Taiwan under Beijing’s watchful eye. So far, its approach has been pragmatic: support Taiwan in non-military domains like cyber, trade, and tech innovation.
Why It Matters: This strategy allows the UK to help secure a democratic partner while managing China relations. It’s a test case in smart, values-based foreign policy.
Final Thought: This Partnership Can't Afford to Stall
The UK and Taiwan have built trust through practical, issue-specific cooperation. However, the absence of a formalized structure could limit future scalability. As threats become more complex and interdependent, informal collaboration may no longer be enough.
The next phase of this partnership should be more deliberate and forward-leaning. Rather than relying solely on ad hoc cooperation, the UK and Taiwan should establish structured mechanisms that can evolve with emerging technologies and threats. This includes:
A recurring UK-Taiwan cybersecurity dialogue, with defined objectives and regular working group sessions
Joint R&D programs focused on shared challenges such as AI-enabled threats, quantum-resistant cryptography, and critical infrastructure protection
A formalized UK role in GCTF cyber programming, allowing for greater consistency and visibility in regional digital capacity building
This is not just about reacting to cyber threats. It is about designing a resilient future between democratic partners who understand that security in the digital era requires agility, alignment, and trust.
Read the full report.
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