Microsoft Takes a New Step in the European Security Program Aiming to Strengthen Cybersecurity Across Europe by Leveraging AI
Microsoft expands its commitment to European cybersecurity with a new security program focused on collaboration with governments, sharing AI-driven threat intelligence, and disrupting cybercriminal networks. The initiative was announced today in Berlin by Brad Smith, Vice Chair & President of Microsoft. Five weeks ago, Smith shared in Brussels the five promises of Microsoft to Europe.
Free support for governments
The new program is offered free of charge to governments in all 27 EU member states, candidate countries, the European Free Trade Association, the UK, Monaco, and the Vatican. The focus is on using artificial intelligence to detect and share cyber threats more quickly. Through real-time information, AI-based analyses, and tailored briefings, Microsoft aims to better enable governments to defend themselves against state hackers from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, among others.
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The program also strengthens collaboration with law enforcement and cyber experts, including through a pilot project with Europol. Microsoft researchers will be deployed at the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) in The Hague. Furthermore, the company is launching additional initiatives for civil society organizations, such as an extended partnership with the CyberPeace Institute.
Protection of AI infrastructure
Microsoft aims to disable cybercriminals more quickly by automating legal procedures and notification systems. Recently, the Lumma malware was dismantled, an information stealer that infected 400,000 systems worldwide. More than 2,300 domains were taken down in the process. Additionally, the SAD program was launched in April, which automatically detects illegal domains and reports them more quickly to hosting companies.
The rise of AI is also changing the behavior of threat actors. According to Microsoft, hackers use AI for social engineering, vulnerability analysis, and automating attacks, among other things. Therefore, the company is developing additional security measures around its own AI models and is launching research into AI security in critical infrastructures together with British institutions. Finally, Microsoft focuses on protecting open-source software through the GitHub Secure Open Source Fund. This aims to limit the risk of supply chain attacks, partly by strengthening the security of commonly used components in government and business infrastructures.