Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) has announced a bipartisan bill that would require the U.S. Department of Defense to expand cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan with a goal to enhance cybersecurity resilience against China’s “cyber aggression.”
According to a release by Gallagher on his website, The Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act was introduced by Gallagher and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), as well as Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
In 2019, the release stated, the Taiwanese government faced between 20 million and 40 million cyberattacks from China on a monthly basis, which were also later used against the United States.
“The Chinese Communist Party [CCP] already has launched an attack on Taiwan in cyberspace, from influence operations to directly targeting critical military and public infrastructure,” said Gallagher, chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the CCP.
“The effects of this cyber assault can be devastating, and this bill helps arm Taiwan to the teeth in the cyber domain by strengthening Taiwan’s cyber forces and building an even stronger partnership between our two countries to protect the key systems that keep our militaries and economies operational," he added. "I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and look forward to hearing back on the progress achieved through this partnership.”
This act allows the secretary of defense to conduct training exercises for cybersecurity with Taiwan. It also allows for safeguarding the country’s military infrastructure, networks and systems, while also utilizing American cybersecurity technologies for the enhancement of Taiwan’s defense. It also eliminates existing malicious cyber activity that is aimed at Taiwan.
According to a report on April 20 by the National Review, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Community Party conducted a war game simulation of a Taiwan invasion scenario, as China becomes more aggressive toward Taiwan. The simulation lasted 2 1/2 hours and was overseen by the Center for New American Security, with experts playing the role of the Chinese military.
Members of Congress played the role of President Biden's national security team. After the simulation, lawmakers expressed concern that American companies were not taking the issue seriously enough. Lawmakers have said they will warn the business community.
During the simulation, lawmakers highlighted the significance of establishing basing agreements with U.S. allies in the region, including the Philippines' deal. They also emphasized the importance of arming Taiwan with more weapons to prepare for an invasion, as well as finding that the U.S. would quickly exhaust its supply of long-range missiles, according to National Review.
