Microsoft and Adobe Share Vulnerability Info to Enhance User Protection

Adobe Systems is the latest member of the Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) family, an initiative designed to increase the level of protection for end users, by having top security companies share information on software vulnerabilities. Microsoft announced the expansion of MAPP at the Black Hat USA 2010 conference with Mike Reavey, director of the Microsoft Security Response Center at Microsoft applauding the newest member.

“We’re excited about extending the benefits of MAPP to Adobe users as we’ve seen clear evidence of its impact in advancing customer protections. We continue to encourage the collective industry — from security researchers and vendors to customers— to recognize the responsibility we all share in fortifying the broader computing ecosystem against online crime,” he stated.

The software giant revealed that Adobe will start sharing information on security flaws in its products with the other members of MAPP come fall 2010. At this point in time, MAPP accounts for no less than 65 members. Reavey underlined that the constantly evolving threat landscape requires a new security strategy, and that collaboration must be at the core of approaches designed to protect customers.

“Adobe products are relied on by individuals and organizations worldwide. Given the relative ubiquity and cross-platform reach of many of our products, as well as the continued shifts in the threat landscape, Adobe has attracted increasing attention from attackers,” added Brad Arkin, senior director of product security and privacy at Adobe. “We are committed to our customers’ security at every level and are excited to leverage MAPP as an important part of our overall product security initiative. MAPP is a great example of a tried and proven model giving an upper hand to a network of global defenders who all rally behind a shared purpose — protecting our mutual customers.”

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