Microsoft leads new initiative to defend against hackers

Following on from its recent involvement in the formation of the Confidential Computing Consortium, Microsoft has once again reinforced its commitment to global security with the launch of the Cyber Peace Institute.

This new initiative is aimed at investigating the impact of cyberattacks and helping to secure the internet and it sees Microsoft team up with the Hewlett Foundation and Mastercard, alongside other unnamed “leading organisations”.

The non-profit organisation, that will be based in Switzerland, aims to protect victims against cyberattacks and assist them in the aftermath. It will have an eight-member executive board and 13-member advisory board, comprising of global experts in cybersecurity, international law, human rights and international affairs.

Marietje Schaake, the Institute’s president confirmed the organisation’s plan to employ as many as 20 staff members in its first year. They will work with a network of volunteers and experts in the public sector, academia and civil society, to respond to major cyberattacks that inflict harm on people, such as those that shut down hospitals or cripple businesses.

Essentially, the role of the organisation will mirror the on-the-ground help provided for years by various bodies for victims of wars and natural disasters, pointing out that victims of attacks originating on the internet deserve similar assistance.

The Institute intends to influence global policy and international law on cyberattacks through activities focused on three core functions:

• Assistance - coordinating recovery efforts for the most vulnerable victims of cyberattacks and helping vulnerable communities and organisations become more resilient to attacks
• Accountability - facilitating the collective analysis, research and investigation of cyberattacks; this will include assessing their harm and bringing greater transparency to the problem, thus providing wider knowledge on how best to address and react to the various cyber threats
• Advancement - promoting responsible behaviour in cyberspace and advancing international laws and rules.

It will also publish public reports on specific incidents and may provide technical support to groups that have been identified as victims of a hack.

Microsoft President, Brad Smith said “We need to bring together people across civil society and the tech sector to share data, best practices and technology to better protect citizens and increase the world’s resiliency against cyberattacks. The CyberPeace Institute will help do just that.”