In the global information age, utilizing computer technology to cut capital and personnel costs has become a must for both the private and public sectors for providing convenient and efficient e-services to citizens. Taiwan is no exception to this trend and has endeavored to employ computers and the Internet to upgrade services. However, as concern grows worldwide about information security, cyber crime, and the spread of inappropriate speech online, addressing these issues with countermeasures has become among the government’s top security priorities.

To coordinate and accelerate Taiwan’s cyber security infrastructure building, thus strengthening cyber security capacities, the National Security Council announced the "Building Taiwan’s Communication and Information Infrastructure Security Mechanism" proposal under the President’s instructions in May 2000, which was approved by the President on Aug. 30, 2000, and sent to the Executive Yuan for planning. In September 2000, the Executive Yuan gathered ministries and councils to discuss relevant plans over 12 meetings, passing the Phase One "Cyber Security Mechanism Plan" and established the "National Information and Communication Security Taskforce" (NICST) to actively promote Taiwan’s cyber security infrastructure building. 

Between 2005 and 2016, the Executive Yuan launched the "Building Taiwan’s Communication and Information Infrastructure Security Mechanism Plan (2005-2008)," "National Cyber Security Development Program (2009-2012)," and the "National Strategy for Cybersecurity Development Program (2013-2016)." Under the joint efforts of the central ministries and local governments, Taiwan has gradually achieved the short-term goals of "Building an overall cyber security defense system and enhancing cyber security defense capacities."

In recent years, the digital economy has led industries to development towards cross-generation, cross-border, cross-field, and cross-reality, redefining global industrial structures. With the coming of the age of digital economy and Internet of Things (IoT), the next phase of national cyber security development program must be based on cyber security and digital national security so as to build a comprehensive industry ecosystem, accelerate industry innovation, optimize industry structure, and comply with cyber and national security policies. Therefore, the NICST, Executive Yuan proposed the "National Cyber Security Program (2017-2020)," which is based on the vision of "building a secure, trustworthy digital nation" and sets the goals of "creating a national cyber security joint defense system, improving the overall cyber security defense mechanism, and reinforcing cyber security autonomy industry development." The program adopted four promotional strategies including "enhancing the base environment for cyber security," "creating a national cyber security joint defense system," "increasing the autonomy of cyber security industry", and "cultivating high-quality cyber security talent." 

Considering the width of information and communication application services and Taiwan’s major technological innovation policies, cyber security plays a key part in national security and even the various aspects of socio-economic activities. In response to international trends and new forms of cyber-attacks and threats and to gradually enhance and expand Taiwan’s cyber security defense capacity and advantage upon the existing defense foundation, the NICST not only continues to implement the Phase Five National Cyber Security Program (2017-2020) but also proposed the "National Cyber Security Program of Taiwan (2021-2024)" as a goal for the government to follow when promoting cyber security defense strategies and plans.