Government Security Program
On This Page
 | New - Microsoft Office 2003 Source Code |
| Overview |
| Access |
| Partnership |
| Benefits |
| Program Details |
| Additional Information |
New - Microsoft Office 2003 Source Code
On Monday, September 20, Microsoft announced the extension of the Government Security Program (GSP) to include Microsoft Office 2003 source code. Governments participating in the GSP may now review the source code for Word 2003, Excel 2003, PowerPoint® 2003, Outlook® 2003 and Office 2003 shared applications such as draw and search.
Overview
The Government Security Program (GSP) is a crucial element of Microsoft's efforts to address the unique security requirements of governments around the world. The GSP provides national governments with information to help them evaluate the security of Microsoft products. In 2001, Microsoft launched the Shared Source Initiative, expanding its long-standing efforts to make Windows source code more transparent to industry partners and customers. A year later, the company announced its Trustworthy Computing Initiative, placing security at the core of all Windows development efforts. The principles of these two critical directives are embodied in the GSP, a program built upon the cornerstones of transparency and partnership.
Access
Through the GSP, Microsoft offers participating governments zero-cost, online smart-card access to source code for the most current versions, beta releases, and service packs of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server™2003, Windows CE, and now, Microsoft Office. In addition, subject to such requirements as U.S. export approval, qualified GSP participants may also obtain access to cryptographic code and development tools. The GSP also provides transparency through disclosure of Microsoft technical information. This engineering-level view of Windows architectural design as it relates to security imparts greater insight regarding the platform's integrity and enhances the government's ability to design and build more secure computing infrastructures.
Partnership
The GSP fosters partnership between the government and Microsoft based on mutual trust, which is fortified through ongoing interaction, collaboration, and information exchange. Representatives of participating government agencies may also opt to visit Microsoft development facilities to review Windows source-code development, testing, and deployment processes; discuss existing and potential projects with Microsoft security experts; and interact with Microsoft staff. For the government participants, this experience can provide valuable insights into Windows security. For Microsoft, the visit offers an invaluable opportunity to receive feedback from agency representatives. Visiting agencies are asked to outline specific projects and objectives prior to arrival, so that Microsoft can best develop a customized, rewarding itinerary. Moreover, the relationship of trust cultivated during the course of GSP participation serves as a solid foundation for future technical collaboration in furtherance of designing, developing, and implementing a more secure government computing environment.
Benefits
Access to Microsoft source code through the GSP benefits governments and associated organizations by:
| • | Providing insight and a deeper understanding of Windows and Office. |
| • | Fostering a partnership on IT security matters with Microsoft through increased interaction. |
| • | Improving the feedback mechanisms that ultimately contribute to the development of better solutions and tools for the future. |
| • | Providing information which can help them to design and build more secure computing infrastructures. |
Program Details
The GSP provides a mechanism for delivering source code for current versions, betas, and service packs of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Office 2003.
Use and Restrictions
| • | Governments may read and reference the source code but may not modify it. |
| • | The term of the agreement is three years. |
Geographic Market Participation
| • | Available to more than 60 geographic markets with intellectual property regimes that meet international standards. |
Fulfillment
| • | After the licensing agreement is signed by both parties, the participating governments will gain access to the code through the Code Center Premium SSL-secured Web site. |
| • | Code Center Premium offers search and view functionality to augment the efficiency and value of source access. |
| • | All source code updates are provided by Microsoft through Code Center Premium. |
Additional Information
For more information on the Government Security Program, e-mail the GSP team. For more information on other Shared Source licensing programs, visit the Shared Source Initiative Licensing Programs page.