Extending Support to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Tech Accord

This article summarizes one of the most important items on the Agenda of the RSA Conference 2018. Microsoft initiated the plan for a cybersecurity tech accord, and we've seen a powerful alliance come together to help solve a larger problem in the cybersecurity ecosystem.

Let's examine why this cybersecurity tech accord is a significant step toward creating a better business environment. 

Protecting the internet has got to be one of the most important elements of doing business today. It may seem that businesses are becoming more aware of cyber threats and taking the required action to help protect their data and consumers. Still, this effort is nothing close to securing the environment in which they do business.  Cyber warfare is none like any other. You don’t see the enemy coming, you never get attacked the same way, and worst of all, you actually never realize you’ve been attacked until there’s been some massive damage already done.

The cybers threat ecosystem is vast and rapidly changing in nature. Its entities are united by one common interest, DISRUPTION!

Just like the bad side is united in common interest, so should the ones that do business to make the world a better place to live in. After we’ve been shaken by the attacks on businesses by WannaCrypt and NotPetya. It is imperative that we take a collective stance on the safety of our consumers and their data. We were thrilled to read the news the other day about Microsoft's bold call to take the initiative against cyber warfare. We’ve been chasing this for a very long time now at Appknox.

Microsoft called for a united effort from multiple businesses to update a long-term goal for international laws to protect people in times of peace from malicious cyber attacks. Microsoft also stated in the RSA Conference 2017 that the first steps to cyber security must come from ‘our own industry’—the enterprises that create and operate the world’s online technologies and infrastructure. This step comes as a glimmer of hope in the dangerous environment we live in today.

This year, at the RSA Conference 2018, Appknox was among the many businesses present to show support for the massive security initiatives taken collectively by multiple businesses. To top the cake with a cherry, 34 global technology companies have signed a Cybersecurity Tech Accord to advance online security and resiliency worldwide.

Here’s a brief of the main objectives or principles of the accord app:

1. Protect all of our users and customers everywhere

This principle emphasizes the importance of protecting consumer data regardless of an attacker's motives, whether they come from an individual, organization, culture, or location. The industry came together to help strategize, develop, and deliver products and services prioritizing security above business goals. This included stronger protection of democratic institutions and processes around the world.

2. Oppose cyberattacks on innocent citizens and enterprises from anywhere

This principle puts it simply by stating that every single entity will be responsible for protecting against tampering with and exploiting technology products and services during their development, design, distribution, and use. No governments will be aided by these companies against innocent citizens and enterprises.

3. Empower users, customers, and developers to strengthen cybersecurity protection

One of the most powerful weapons against cyber threats is to educate and empower both users and businesses. All participants of the accord recognized the need to increase the capability and resilience of the world’s computer networks. They also decided to initiate this by providing all their users and stakeholders with more information and better tools to understand current and future threats and protect themselves against attacks. A stronger plea was raised to support civil society, governments, and international organizations in advancing security in cyberspace and building cybersecurity capacity in developed and emerging economies and countries alike.

4. Partner with each other and with like-minded groups to enhance cybersecurity 

This last principle sealed the deal by formally calling out a strong alliance to work with one another and establish formal and informal partnerships with the industry, civil societies and security researchers across proprietary and open source technologies to improve technical collaboration, coordinated vulnerability disclosure and threat sharing, as well as to minimize the levels of malicious code being introduced into cyberspace. It was also mentioned that in addition to this, they would encourage global information sharing and civilian efforts to identify, prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks and ensure flexible responses to the security of the wider global technology ecosystem.

With a desperate cry for togetherness in a hopeless environment of hazardous cyber attacks, there is a silver lining in the form of a Geneva conference for the digital world. We at Appknox are excited about this initiative and extend our full support to this cybersecurity tech accord signed by the powerhouses of the business world.

As a step towards a safer cybersecurity environment, consider our Free Plan for complete mobile application security for businesses. It's simple to get started, with no complicated integrations and no massive data collection while you sign up.