Microsoft is working with NATO to bolster government cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is more important now than ever before, and the ever-present threat of cyberattacks and data breaches has prompted the creation of things like the Government Security Program (GSP) initiative. To those of you who aren’t familiar, the GSP is an initiative that Microsoft formed back in 2003 to help national governments use the company’s products and services to improve cybersecurity. Now, more than a decade later, Microsoft has expanded on this with a landmark agreement with NATO that will see Microsoft assisting numerous government agencies bolster their cybersecurity. 

Governments across the globe are facing new and increasingly grievous threats to cybersecurity, with vulnerabilities poised to harm citizens and national economies. Microsoft has long been publicly committed to building a safe and trusted digital environment, working to address the unique security needs of governments worldwide. Microsoft has taken this commitment a step further with the signing of its newest Government Security Program (GSP) agreement with the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency. A program designed by Microsoft to help governments evaluate and protect existing systems, and create, deploy, and maintain more secure infrastructure, the GSP fosters partnership and trust. It is open to government agencies regardless of a commercial contract with Microsoft, and is an important part of what we consider to be our duty as global citizens. Microsoft currently has GSP agreements with over 40 agencies from more than 25 governments worldwide. In each of these cases, we have found that supporting an open dialogue and collaborative environment is the most effective way to increase transparency, reliability and integrity in our collective desire for improving cybersecurity.