Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Taiwan prosecutors arrested six individuals suspected of stealing trade secrets from TSMC, a critical global semiconductor manufacturer. The breach involved former and current employees allegedly obtaining core technology, with investigations ongoing to determine if data was leaked to external parties. TSMC, a key supplier for companies like Nvidia and Apple, has taken disciplinary and legal actions. The incident highlights risks to national security and the competitive edge in advanced chipmaking, particularly as TSMC prepares for mass production of 2-nanometer chips. The case underscores the high stakes in semiconductor technology amid global competition.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/taiwan-arrests-six-in-probe-of-tsmc-chip-technology-leak-11754390785662.html

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/tsmc

"id": "tsm232080925",
"linkid": "tsmc",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "8/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"

{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Semiconductor Manufacturing',
                        'location': 'Taiwan',
                        'name': 'Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)',
                        'size': 'Large',
                        'type': 'Corporation'},
                       {'industry': 'Semiconductor Equipment',
                        'location': 'Taiwan (Premises)',
                        'name': 'Tokyo Electron Ltd.',
                        'type': 'Supplier'}],
 'attack_vector': 'Insider Access',
 'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Suspected',
                 'sensitivity_of_data': 'High',
                 'type_of_data_compromised': 'Trade Secrets, Core Technology'},
 'description': 'Taiwan prosecutors arrested six people suspected of stealing '
                'trade secrets from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. '
                '(TSMC), involving potential national security breaches. The '
                'incident includes allegations of illegal obtaining of core '
                'technology by former and current staff.',
 'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Potential Damage',
            'data_compromised': 'Core Technology, 2-nanometer Chip Development '
                                'Information',
            'legal_liabilities': 'Legal Proceedings Initiated'},
 'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': 'Insider Access',
                           'high_value_targets': '2-nanometer Chip Development '
                                                 'Information'},
 'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
 'motivation': 'Financial Gain, Corporate Espionage',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Disciplinary Action, Legal '
                                                  'Proceedings',
                            'root_causes': 'Insider Threat'},
 'references': [{'source': 'Bloomberg', 'url': 'https://www.bloomberg.com'}],
 'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': 'Legal Proceedings Initiated'},
 'response': {'containment_measures': 'Disciplinary Action, Legal Proceedings',
              'incident_response_plan_activated': 'Internal Investigation',
              'law_enforcement_notified': 'Yes'},
 'threat_actor': 'Former and Current Employees',
 'title': 'Trade Secrets Theft at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. '
          '(TSMC)',
 'type': 'Insider Threat, Trade Secret Theft'}