Han Kuang Exercise: Strengthening Critical Infrastructure Protection with Civilian Cybersecurity Experts Mobilized by Military

To strengthen national digital resilience and the protection capabilities of critical infrastructure, Taiwan's Military Information and Communication Warfare Command conducted a live cyber defense mobilization on the 11th, integrated into the Han Kuang military exercise. Based on operational requirements, civilian high-specialty professionals with expertise in information security were mobilized to apply their technical skills and practical experience in conducting vulnerability detection, risk assessment, penetration testing, and defense verification for key infrastructure systems. Through military-civilian cooperation, various protection mechanisms and emergency response procedures were validated, improving overall defense effectiveness and reinforcing the foundation of national digital security.

The Military Information and Communication Warfare Command stated that this mobilization involved cybersecurity experts from renowned industries, academia, and the information security sector. Over 100 participants reported simultaneously across various locations in Taiwan, engaging in system health checks, attack-defense drills, threat analysis, and technical assessments. They comprehensively reviewed potential risks in critical information systems and provided improvement recommendations and reinforcement plans, helping enhance the resilience and response efficiency of critical infrastructure in sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications against cyberattacks. This effort fully demonstrated the tangible outcomes of military-civilian collaboration in safeguarding the nation's digital territory under the concept of total defense.

Among the participants was a cybersecurity expert from Taiwan's cybersecurity community and related associations, who contributed extensive experience in international corporate information security governance, offensive-defensive exercises, and incident response. He emphasized that as digital technologies rapidly evolve, cyber threats are becoming increasingly diverse. Only through closer collaboration between government, enterprises, and civilians—integrating professional expertise and practical capabilities—can a more resilient cybersecurity defense be built to respond to rapidly changing challenges.

Major General Mau Chien-chiu, Commander of the Military Information and Communication Warfare Command, encouraged all technology-mobilized cybersecurity professionals to leverage their expertise in support of national security. Applying their accumulated knowledge and skills to information protection missions is not only a demonstration of professional competence but also a concrete action in safeguarding the nation. He expressed hope that more civilian high-specialty talents will respond to future information protection mobilizations, working hand-in-hand with the military to enhance overall cybersecurity capabilities and jointly build a secure and trustworthy digital environment.

Mau Chien-chiu further stated that information protection mobilization is a crucial component in building national cyber resilience. Going forward, the military will continue to expand and deepen civil-military cooperation mechanisms, integrate professional resources from all sectors, improve talent development and technical exchanges, and enhance overall protection capabilities to ensure the secure and stable operation of Taiwan's critical information infrastructure, collectively safeguarding national information security and digital sovereignty.