Tech Titan Microsoft Readies Partnership with EU Governments for Enhanced Cybersecurity
Microsoft boosting collaborative efforts with European administrations in the realm of cybersecurity
In a blog post, Microsoft President Brad Smith announced that the tech company will boost its collaboration with European governments in the online security arena. This cooperation will entail sharing data derived from artificial intelligence (AI) tools more broadly with authorities, as the company disclosed.
Under this initiative, . The program, christened the , aims to fortify Europe's online security landscape.
At a digital press conference, Smith shared that Microsoft will now deliver to European governments. The company is actively monitoring the of its AI models and taking rapid, proactive steps to .
Microsoft also intends to expand its partnerships with European security institutions to combat online crimes and dismantle malicious cyber networks. The company's efforts align with the escalating cyber activities of threat actors, which have been magnified and escalated by the rise of AI.
In May, the company spearheaded a substantial collaboration with Europol and the US government to curb the propagation of the Russian cyber threat "Lumma Stealer." Microsoft neutralized roughly 2,300 internet addresses that "Lumma" relied on.
The European Security Program is set to span a variety of aspects:
- AI-Powered Threat Intelligence: The program will augment the sharing of AI-driven threat insights with European governments, providing timely and detailed perspectives on online threats, helping governments swiftly detect and respond to attacks.
- Enhanced Cybersecurity Capacities: Microsoft will collaborate closely with European agencies. For example, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit investigators now work alongside the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague, building operational capacity to resist cyberattacks.
- Broadened Collaboration to Suppress Attacks: Microsoft will strengthen its cooperation with organizations like the CyberPeace Institute and the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C) to proactively dismantle cybercriminal networks.
The program’s objectives include:
- Strengthening Europe's digital resilience by fostering a united response among governments, law enforcement, and private sector partners.
- Bolstering defenses against a diverse array of cyber threats, particularly those emanating from state-sponsored actors and complex hacker operations.
- Supporting Europe’s security priorities and digital sovereignty as part of Microsoft's broader commitment to act as a fair arbiter between the US and the EU.
Microsoft's European Security Program will provide advanced tools, intelligence, and direct assistance to assist European governments in defending against cyber threats as they evolve rapidly. The program offers its services for free to all 27 European Union member states, EU accession countries, members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the UK, Monaco, and the Vatican.
