ASD-Microsoft initiative bolsters Australia's cyber defence

The Albanese Government has delivered a world-first initiative between the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and Microsoft which will further strengthen Australia’s cyber defences. 

This initiative has connected ASD’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Sharing (CTIS) platform with Microsoft’s Sentinel platform, creating a cutting-edge global cyber threat intelligence system.

This connection allows Microsoft’s Australian customers who also partner in ASD’s CTIS platform to share cyber threat information at the speed and scale required to mitigate against growing threats in cyberspace. 

The integration of these platforms will enable deeper collaboration between ASD's CTIS program and Microsoft Sentinel customers in Australia, who benefit from Microsoft's analysis of 65 trillion signals of global threat intelligence every day. 

This outcome is a key element of the Microsoft-ASD Cyber Shield initiative as part of Microsoft’s $5 billion investment in Australia announced by the Albanese Government in October 2023. 

This initiative is another example of the importance of the partnership between the public and private sectors in countering the cyber threats we collectively face. It also continues to deliver on the Government’s commitment to enhance cyber threat visibility and harden the nation’s cyber defences.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“It is of the upmost importance that Australia continues to build our cyber security capabilities. This initiative is a significant step forward in bolstering our cyber defences. 

“The best cyber defences are founded on genuine partnerships between and across the public and private sectors. It is collaborative partnerships like these that foster innovation and deliver practical outcomes for Australia’s cyber resilience.” 

Quote attributable to Steven Worrall, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand:

“This initiative builds on our recently announced investment into improving our nation’s cyber defences, under the Microsoft-Australian Signals Directorate’s Cyber Shield (MACS). We appreciate the opportunity to deepen our collaboration with the Australian Government, building on 40 years of partnership since Microsoft began operations in Australia.”