Alliance Between Microsoft and Leading Worldwide Service Providers, Including
BT, Chunghwa Telecom, Cox Communications, EarthLink, KT (Korea Telecom), MSN,
NTT Communications, Planet Internet, Shaw Communications, TDC, T-Online,
TeliaSonera, Tiscali S.p.A., United Online, Wanadoo and Xtra (Telecom New
Zealand), Works to Improve Internet Security for More Than 150 Million
Customers
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at RSA Conference
2004, an information security event, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) officially
announced formation of the Global Infrastructure Alliance for Internet Safety
(GIAIS). With the goal of fostering industry collaboration, GIAIS is a working
group designed to drive a more secure Internet environment for consumers by
working with leading service providers from around the world to help keep
their 150 million customers more secure on the Internet. Members around the
world include BT, Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd., Cox Communications Inc.,
EarthLink Inc., KT (Korea Telecom), MSN(R), NTT Communications, Planet
Internet, Shaw Communications Inc., TDC, T-Online, TeliaSonera, Tiscali SpA,
United Online Inc., Wanadoo and Xtra (Telecom New Zealand Ltd.).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"The goal of GIAIS is to provide consumers with a safer Internet
experience by helping to educate and protect them against the threat of
malicious code attacks as well as emerging Internet threats," said
Maria Martinez, corporate vice president of the Communications and Mobile
Solutions Group at Microsoft. "This is part of an ongoing commitment by
Microsoft to work hard across all its divisions and in alliance with service
providers to help provide a more secure Internet environment for our mutual
customers."
GIAIS Works for a Safer Internet Experience
With unprecedented collaboration and information sharing, Microsoft and
GIAIS members are reducing the customer burden for managing their systems'
security, empowering consumers to achieve safer online computing, utilizing
tools and guidance to help protect and restore consumers from security
breaches, and establishing swift communication channels between the GIAIS
members for timely emergency response in the event of a virus strike. The
alliance is already active, and Microsoft is soliciting members for feedback
on technology and program enhancements to jointly enable a more secure
Internet environment.
"Participating in industrywide initiatives such as GIAIS is part of
EarthLink's multifaceted approach to combat the perils of the Internet and
provide the best possible online experience for all users," said Linda Beck,
executive vice president of operations for EarthLink. "We believe this
collaboration between Internet service providers and Microsoft will help
create a more efficient framework for dealing with industrywide security
issues."
"Shaw is committed to continually improving the Internet experience for
our valued customers," said Peter Bissonnette, president of Shaw
Communications. "We are encouraged with the programs already being implemented
by GIAIS and the opportunity to work with Microsoft and other ISPs in
addressing shared security concerns on a global scale."
"We continuously strive to evolve security practices for our Cox High
Speed Internet services and have already seen the benefits to be realized in
sharing best practices with other service providers," said Jeff Hartley,
manager of Engineering Security and Abuse at Cox Communications. "As modern
threats to Internet security cross geographic and technological boundaries,
the need for GIAIS is clear. Cox is eager to share its learning with this
forum and to contribute to the betterment of Internet experience worldwide."
"Security threats have no respect for national borders, so it makes sense
to have a global, coordinated response," said Chris Thompson, head of Internet
and Online Marketing at Xtra, Telecom New Zealand's Internet provider. "GIAIS
lets us share our experiences, learn from them and respond to future threats
more quickly."
GIAIS Delivers Real Value to Customers
Through the GIAIS program, an environment has been created where service
providers can help influence and improve Microsoft's support and service for
consumers during security breaches. As a working group, GIAIS has already been
called into action as members worked to address the recent Mydoom virus and
its many variants. With the emergence of Mydoom, GIAIS members performed a
critical role in working with Microsoft to identify the virus signature and
develop remediation tactics to help protect consumers. Worm characteristics
were defined, activity and behavior on ISPs' environments were reported, and
syndicated content outlining virus information and remedies were delivered for
GIAIS members to alert and assist their customers.
In addition, the recent release of the Blaster Cleaner tool, a Microsoft
technology designed to clean and inoculate a Blaster-infected PC, was a result
of a technical dialogue between Microsoft and a GIAIS member. The Blaster
Cleaner tool has helped clean and better secure the Internet connections of
more than 8 million Internet users.
"A safe computing environment is critical to consumers' Internet
experience, as well as to the ultimate success of service providers and
technology vendors. A highly collaborative 'rapid response' capability is an
important step forward for all involved constituencies," said Rob Rich,
executive vice president of Communications Infrastructure Strategies at Yankee
Group. "The GIAIS program demonstrates a strong commitment by major industry
players to provide a safer computing experience for the consumer."
Additional background about GIAIS is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/giais .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software - any time, any place and on any device.
NOTE: Microsoft and MSN are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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