In response to mounting criticism over cybersecurity lapses, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) has announced a series of anti-hacking initiatives, including tying a portion of senior leaders’ compensation to meeting cybersecurity goals.
The company’s new strategy prioritizes security over new feature development, with Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella reinforcing the notion that security is “job #1.” The Secure Future Initiative, unveiled in November, represents Microsoft’s most significant security plan since prioritizing product safety over new features in 2002.
Microsoft’s security chief, Charlie Bell, emphasized the company’s commitment to bolstering security culture and outlined three guiding principles: prioritizing security in product design, ensuring security protections are enabled by default, and continuously enhancing security controls to counter evolving threats.
As part of its enhanced security measures, Microsoft is appointing deputy chief information security officers, with Ann Johnson assuming the role of deputy CISO for customer outreach and regulated industries. These changes aim to reinforce security practices amid escalating cyber threats.
Recent cybersecurity incidents, including breaches linked to Russian and Chinese state-sponsored hackers, have underscored the urgency for Microsoft to strengthen its security posture. A damning report by the US Cyber Safety Review Board and proposed legislation demanding cybersecurity reforms further pressure the tech giant to bolster its defenses.
Microsoft’s renewed focus on cybersecurity aims to embed security into every aspect of its operations, with Nadella affirming that security takes precedence above all else.
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