Microsoft president grilled by Congress on China, security concerns

TLDR:

• Microsoft president Brad Smith faced tough questions from Congress regarding the company’s security track record and presence in China.
• The House Committee on Homeland Security convened a hearing to discuss the 2023 Microsoft Exchange Online hack, attributed to a Chinese-government-linked cyber-espionage group.

Microsoft’s Brad Smith acknowledged the company’s responsibility for the security failures and outlined the steps being taken to improve cybersecurity practices, including the Secure Future Initiative. Smith also addressed concerns about Microsoft’s operations in China and emphasized the company’s commitment to security culture and prioritization.

Key Points:

Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, faced tough questioning from Congress on the company’s security track record and operations in China during a recent hearing.

The hearing was held by the House Committee on Homeland Security to address the 2023 Microsoft Exchange Online hack, which was attributed to a Chinese-government-linked cyber-espionage group.

Smith acknowledged the security failures and outlined steps being taken to improve cybersecurity practices, including the Secure Future Initiative, which aims to integrate security into every process at Microsoft.

Concerns were raised about Microsoft’s operations in China, with Smith emphasizing the company’s commitment to security culture and prioritization despite legal obligations in the country.

Overall, the hearing highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the face of nation-state attacks and the necessity for companies like Microsoft to prioritize security in their operations.