Fed Gov signs with Microsoft for info swap

Microsoft has signed a cooperative agreement with the Federal Government aimed at boosting IT security.

The Security Cooperation Program (SCP) will see the software vendor co-ordinate with the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) to manage security activities in the areas of computer incident response, attack mitigation and citizen outreach.

State and territory governments can also participate in the venture designed to help governments across the world managed threats from cyber criminals.

Microsoft Australia MD, Steve Vamos, claimed in a statement that the SCP would help address IT issues around national security and economic strength through information sharing with the company.

As part of the deal, the Government will gain monthly security bulletins and participate in information sharing on publicly known and reported vulnerabilities.

“By working in partnership with the Australian Government, we will all be better prepared, and have a better defence against those who seek to do us harm, than if we stood alone,” Vamos said.

Currently 14 national, state and agency governmental bodies from countries such as the US, Norway, Chile, Switzerland, Germany and Israel participate in Microsoft’s SCP.

The Australian Government has worked with Microsoft on IT security issues for a number of years and signed on to Microsoft’s Government Security Program in 2003.

The program grants signatories access to selected areas of Microsoft’s Windows source code and other technical information.