In the competitive world of tech, guarding proprietary information is a high-stakes game. Now, TSMC, the world’s leading contract chipmaker, is taking an unusual step. They plan to sell their internal system for managing trade secrets to other companies. This move aims to teach suppliers and partners in Europe and the United States how to better handle their valuable data.
This innovative system, known as a trade secret registration system, was first developed by TSMC back in 2013. Fortune Hsieh, who works at TSMC and also leads the Taiwan Trade Secret Protection Association, shared details about its journey. He noted that the system is already used by at least 20 companies in Taiwan.
Hsieh firmly believes that if TSMC’s suppliers adopt this system, it will boost their ability to innovate and streamline their operations. This, in turn, creates a win-win situation, benefiting TSMC as well. He explained that the system sprang from a simple idea: companies need to do more than just protect their secrets. They must also organize this information in a way that actively sparks new ideas and inventions. The ultimate goal is to keep more technology in-house and strengthen TSMC’s competitive edge.
By July, TSMC had more than 610,000 items logged in this system. These items cover everything from specific technologies to the knowledge that helps create new tech. The system links up with both human resources and IT platforms. It even uses artificial intelligence to keep tabs on projects and collaborations with outside partners. This AI also helps spot talented individuals who stand out.
When asked if such a system might be vulnerable to hacking, Hsieh was clear. He stated that cybersecurity is a core principle. It’s something they build into the system from the very start.