The initiative is designed to fortify Australia’s defense against cyber threats by facilitating quicker and more comprehensive exchange of threat intelligence and response mechanisms.
Mark Anderson, National Security Officer at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This marks the first-ever global initiative to establish such a partnership with Sentinel, facilitating the public-private exchange of threat intelligence. This capability is available for free download and empowers Microsoft customers, including CTIS partners encompassing some of Australia’s largest government and commercial organizations, to actively contribute to and benefit from threat intelligence sharing at machine speed.”
The joint effort between Microsoft and ASD is a proactive step towards enhancing the nation’s cyber resilience.
Rachel Noble PSM, General Director of ASD, emphasized the importance of collective action in cybersecurity, stating, “Cybersecurity requires collaboration between public and private sectors, and the joint efforts of both are crucial for safeguarding our nation. Partnering with organizations like Microsoft enables us to streamline the process for their local customers to participate as bilateral threat-sharing partners in CTIS. We are actively engaging with industry stakeholders to replicate similar initiatives. Through fostering such collaborations, we can swiftly identify threats, thwart threat actors, and make a lasting impact on Australia’s security landscape.”