Enabling a proactive approach to system security, on a global scale

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.

Using information exchange and a cooperative approach, the Security Cooperation Program helps organizations around the world to reduce the risks of system attacks by better responding to computer security incidents. Program participants can also leverage the program to minimize the impact of attacks on IT infrastructure, further decreasing associated risk.

Decreasing the risks of security attacks, worldwide

More than 40 public sector entities participate in the Security Cooperation Program, demonstrating how the public and private sectors can work together to decrease the risks that security attacks can pose to national security, economic strength, and social welfare.

Most importantly, the program helps participants improve their response to computer security incidents and emergencies. In addition, the program helps decrease the risk of attack through information sharing and collaborative projects customized to help meet each participant's information security needs.

Eligibility and participation

Eligible public sector organizations include those responsible for computer security incident response, protection of critical IT infrastructure, and computing safety. The following categories of organizations are likely to participate:

1. National agencies or ministries
2. Governmental groups such as:
   • Computer Emergency Response teams
   • Computer Security Incident Response teams
   • Information Sharing and Analysis Centers
3. Higher education organizations with an elevated level of computer incident response responsibility and interest. Education participants are typically large universities with research laboratories focused on security, and also institutions that perform the national role for infrastructure.
4. Certain organizations that have significant interest and expertise in the area of computer incident response, as well as being influential in their region.

Governments currently under a trade embargo with the United States are not eligible.

Learn more about the program