Microsoft Grows Its Security Information Sharing Program

The Microsoft Security Information Sharing Program is evolving with the Redmond company looking to reach out to additional organizations. In this regard, computer emergency response teams also referred to as CERTs, as well as computer security incident response teams, dubbed CSIRTS will from now on be able to benefit from an extended Security Cooperation Program. Furthermore, Microsoft informed that it is ready to open up SCP to even more response and guidance organizations.

"The Microsoft Security Cooperation Program provides a structured way for governments and education institutions to collaborate with Microsoft on security initiatives in key areas including computer incident response, attack mitigation, and citizen outreach," Microsoft notes on the official SCP website.

The Security Cooperation Program acts as an infrastructure for the Redmond company to deliver information in cases of computer security issues. The overall goal of the program is to minimize the risks of attacks against the systems run by members of SCP. The annual AusCERT Asia Pacific Information Technology Security Conference was the stage where Microsoft unveiled the third version of SCP, labeled SCPcert, and its decision to open up to CERTs and CSIRTS. The Redmond company pointed to theSCPcert website located on the Microsoft Security Response Alliance portal, as well as to email notifications as a way to deliver advanced security and incident response to SCP organizations.

"Through the MSRA, we build strong partnerships with others in the security response ecosystem to help better protect our mutual customers around the world," explained Mark Miller, director of Trustworthy Computing Public Relations at Microsoft. "Working with CERTs through this extension of the MSRA is the next logical step in helping ensure infrastructures remain safe from attack, responses are well-coordinated and the right channels are in place to share information that can help protect customers."

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