aeCERT, a Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) initiative to build a secure and safe cyber culture in the UAE; signed an agreement with Microsoft Gulf to join its Security Cooperation Program (SCP). Under the agreement, aeCERT and Microsoft aim to promote the security of information systems and networks in the country and to exchange information to assist in that effort.

The Security Cooperation Program is a no-fee program that helps further strengthen Microsoft’s comprehensive approach to providing the technology and services that help enable secure computing environments to governments and citizens. Through the SCP, a framework will be provided for governments and Microsoft to engage in cooperative security activities in the areas of computer incident response, attack mitigation, and citizen outreach. Using information exchange and cooperative projects, SCP helps organizations like aeCERT better respond to computer security incidents and minimize the impact of attacks on information technology (IT) infrastructure, decreasing risk from cyber attacks.

H.E. Mohammed Al Nasser Al Ghanim, Director of Telecommunication Regulatury Authority (TRA), and aeCERT said, “The Security Cooperation Program is aligned with our goal to build a secure and safe cyber culture in the UAE. We value such initiatives and glad to partner with Microsoft, which will help us build a sustainable secure environment for all ICT users in the emirate.  The SCP will allow us to better address and raise awareness about cyber security for individuals and businesses in the emirate.”

“National security is imperative and government bodies must place security at the forefront of their information technology requirements,” said Charbel Fakhoury, Regional General Manager of Microsoft Gulf. “The Security Cooperation Program (SCP) demonstrates the comprehensive Microsoft approach in providing technology and services that help address threats to national security, economic strength and public safety more efficiently and effectively for governments in the region.  We commend aeCERT initiatives and will continue to support their efforts through the SCP program.”

In addition, aeCERT and Microsoft will work together to exchange information that can be used to better anticipate, help prevent and respond to information technology security attacks. The kind of data that will be exchanged include, Information about publicly known and reported vulnerabilities , Information about upcoming and released security updates to facilitate resource planning and deployment, Security incident metrics, Information on Microsoft product security, the Microsoft approach to security and its incident response process.

SCP is part of the Microsoft Security Response Alliance (MSRA), the latest evolution in Microsoft's efforts to build strong alliances with partners in the security response ecosystem. The MSRA builds on the fundamental underpinnings developed by its constituents: five strong, valuable alliances-including SCP that allows security response and research with multiple partners, vendors, governments and infrastructure providers to collaborate in a secure and timely manner. These efforts are part of Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing initiative and its vision for End-to-End Trust, which builds on technological innovations aligned with economic, political and social forces to create a safer and more trusted Internet.