Microsoft has tied executive pay to keeping its systems secure in response to a series of major hacking attacks, signaling the company's high priority for cybersecurity.
Security comes first
Cybersecurity principles
In light of recent high-profile cyberattacks such as China's Storm-0558 and Russia's Midnight Blizzard , Microsoft has decided to tie a portion of executive compensation to compliance with its information security plans. The company proclaimed three main principles of cybersecurity: “secure by design” (security at the design stage), “secure by default” (security by default) and “secure operations”.
Cyber Security Prioritized
In addition to this, Microsoft is committed to providing 100% security user accounts with phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication, improve network monitoring and save all system security logs. Thus, part of the salaries of top managers will directly depend on how strictly the company adheres to its cybersecurity plans.
Internal Directives
A recently released internal memo from Microsoft's CEO emphasizes that elevating security should become a higher priority than adding new features. This decision was made after the controversial inclusion of the AI assistant Copilot in Windows 11 startup, which drew criticism from developers and experts who regarded it as intrusive behavior.
Glossary
- Microsoft is the largest transnational company in software development, production of computer equipment, provision of digital services and cloud computing.
- Storm-0558 was a cyberattack carried out by Chinese hackers in 2023, during which Microsoft Azure was hacked.
- Midnight Blizzard is a hacker group associated with the Kremlin that gained access to Microsoft systems in January 2024.
- Secure Future Initiative (SFI) is Microsoft's initiative to strengthen cybersecurity.
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Discussion of the topic – Are hackers attacking? Microsoft will cut bonuses for bosses for data leaks
Microsoft is taking tough cybersecurity measures after a series of hacker attacks. The company's top management risks losing part of their bonuses in the event of successful system hacks.
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Марко
Microsoft is taking the right steps to improve cybersecurity by tying executive salaries to the effectiveness of its security systems. 👍 This is a major step that will force managers to pay more attention to data protection and hack prevention.
Анна
Yes, a good initiative from Microsoft. Recent attacks such as Storm-0558 and Midnight Blizzard show that even large companies are vulnerable to hackers. 🔐 By linking executive compensation to security, they create strong motivation to improve security systems.
Ян
I'm glad Microsoft is finally starting to take cybersecurity seriously. They ignored this problem for too long while hackers became more sophisticated. 🤖 Now that the leaders' money is at risk, they will be forced to act.
Франц
Hmm, you know, I'm skeptical about this initiative. 😒 Yes, security is important, but shouldn't it be a priority for any tech company anyway? Tying salaries to it seems to be just an attempt to distract attention from real problems.
София
I applaud Microsoft's decision, but I'm concerned that they are going to add new features like Copilot to Windows 11 startup. 🤔 This could create new vulnerabilities for hackers. Security should be a top priority, not adding unnecessary features.
Франц
Exactly! 👍 That's exactly what I'm talking about. Microsoft makes a big deal about security, but at the same time continues to force unnecessary software on users. This is hypocrisy, not real data protection measures.
Лукаш
Guys, I think we should give Microsoft a chance. 🤷♂️ Yes, they have had security problems in the past, but this initiative shows that they are ready to change. Linking wages to safety is a strong incentive for change.
Джулия
I agree with Lukash. Let's see what happens. 👍 Microsoft is a big company, and changes in security culture will not happen overnight. But this is the first step in the right direction. I am optimistic about the future. 🌈