As cloud computing becomes increasingly prevalent, the global community is paying close attention to the core issue of how encryption technologies can safeguard national digital sovereignty and address the looming Y2Q (Years to Quantum) threat posed by quantum computing. In response to the emerging technological challenges, the Institute for Information Industry (III) hosted the "2025 Securing National Digital Sovereignty: Challenges and Opportunities in Cloud Computing and Post-Quantum Cryptography" international forum. The event brought together cybersecurity experts from Google, Taiwan, and Japan to explore opportunities for international cooperation on data governance, cloud encryption, and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) in the era of digital transformation.
"Digital sovereignty is national security," said Yen-Nun Huang, Minister of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) in a pre-recorded address. Minister Huang emphasized that in response to rapid technological advancements, the government will support enterprises in addressing cybersecurity challenges from three key dimensions: technical standards, regulatory frameworks, and industrial collaboration. This approach aims to shift cybersecurity issues from being perceived as a cost to becoming a source of competitive advantage, thereby enabling the secure implementation of innovative digital applications.
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), Dr. Po-Jen Hsiao, Executive Vice President of the Institute for Information Industry stated that the III will continue to integrate industry and international resources to position Taiwan as a strategic hub for digital security in the Asia-Pacific region. III aims to help local industries align with the technological developments and policy trends of the U.S., Japan, and other key partners, enabling them to stay ahead of global trends and seize emerging market opportunities.
At the international forum held on 21st March, a distinguished lineup of speakers from Taiwan and abroad gathered to share their insights. In addition to video remarks from Japan’s “Father of Semiconductors” Amari Akira and Minister of Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) Yen-nun Huang, the event featured in-person addresses by Mark Johnston, Director at the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer at Google; General Shigeru Iwasaki, former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of Japan’s Ministry of Defense; Hideaki Watanabe, former Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA); and Professor Satoru Tezuka of Keio University, who leads Japan’s digital ID project. Leading experts from Taiwan’s National Institute of Cyber Security, Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, and the Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Industry Alliance also took part in the discussions, providing in-depth analysis on the latest digital security strategies and the development of Post-Quantum Cryptography.
Advancing Data Encryption to Strengthen Global Cybersecurity
Mark Johnston, Director at the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer at Google, emphasized during the forum that Google Workspace’s Client-Side Encryption (CSE) technology empowers users to encrypt data domestically before it is uploaded to the cloud, thereby ensuring data sovereignty and privacy protection. “CSE is not just a technology—it’s a tangible commitment to data sovereignty,” Johnston stated. He mentioned that CSE is particularly conducive to highly regulated sectors such as government, finance, and healthcare, helping them meet the stringent compliance and trust requirements posed by international regulations like the EU GDPR and the U.S. CLOUD Act.
Cybersecurity expert Professor Satoru Tezuka from Japan also pointed out the importance of strengthened collaboration between governments and enterprises in the digital era. Citing the U.S. as a model, he emphasized that building robust permission frameworks and data classification systems is fundamental to enhancing cybersecurity. In addition, Tezuka further noted Taiwan’s strengths in secure hardware development, and suggested that integrating international identity authentication standards—such as Personal Identity Verification (PIV) and Common Access Card (CAC) technologies—into localized applications could help Taiwan establish a globally competitive cybersecurity infrastructure.
Addressing Quantum Threats: Planning for the Post-Quantum Cryptography Era
The forum also spotlighted the forward-looking challenges and opportunities presented by Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Experts from Academia Sinica and the private sector jointly pointed out that as quantum computing advances toward practical application, traditional encryption methods are facing the risk of ineffectiveness so that there is the urgent need to accelerate PQC standardization and migration. Taiwan, with its strong capabilities in hardware development and chip design, is well-positioned to take the lead in implementing PQC solutions across government agencies and critical infrastructure, and to play a key role in driving international PQC technologies and applications.
The 2025 Securing National Digital Sovereignty Forum successfully fostered cross-sector dialogue, offering valuable insights into the future of digital sovereignty and post-quantum cybersecurity. The forum laid a solid foundation for Taiwan to expand its international cybersecurity partnerships and deepen its role in the global cybersecurity cooperation network.