Microsoft has launched the Advancing Regional Cybersecurity (ARC) Initiative to strengthen regional preparedness, resilience, and coordination in response to growing cyber threats. The announcement was made at the second Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighting Microsoft’s commitment to fostering collaborative solutions in an increasingly digital world.
The initiative begins with a strategic partnership with Kenya’s National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee (NC4), emphasizing the importance of multistakeholder collaboration. Amy Hogan-Burney, Vice President of Customer Security & Trust at Microsoft, stated, “In today’s digital age, no nation can tackle cyber threats alone. Our partnership with NC4 reflects Microsoft’s belief in building strong, local alliances to create sustainable cyber resilience.” This collaboration is particularly timely as digital transformation across the Global South, especially in Africa, accelerates faster than cybersecurity infrastructure development.
Recent high-profile incidents, such as a data breach at a regional SME authority and a ransomware attack on a state-owned telecom provider, underscore the urgent need for robust cyber defenses to protect critical infrastructure and maintain trust in digital services. The partnership with NC4 will include several key actions: a multi-stakeholder roundtable to align on national cybersecurity priorities, a cyber crisis simulation to test Kenya’s readiness for large-scale threats, and the co-creation of a practical cybersecurity planning toolkit by Microsoft and NC4. This toolkit will support Kenya’s ongoing efforts and serve as a scalable resource for other nations in the region.
Hogan-Burney noted, “This partnership is an important step in realizing Kenya’s national cybersecurity ambitions. Microsoft’s expertise and commitment to capacity-building align well with our national goals, and together, we hope to model a scalable and impactful approach that other countries can learn from.” The ARC Initiative builds on Microsoft’s broader commitment to cybersecurity through the Accra Call, a multistakeholder pledge launched at the 2023 GC3B in Ghana.
Microsoft envisions the Advancing Regional Cybersecurity (ARC) Initiative as a flexible, repeatable framework for regional cyber resilience, adaptable to the unique needs of countries across the Global South. The company invites governments and institutions to explore similar collaborations tailored to their local contexts. Hogan-Burney emphasized, “Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a foundation for trust in digital services, economic stability, and national security.” Microsoft looks forward to expanding partnerships across Africa and beyond to secure the shared digital future.
For more information on Microsoft’s cybersecurity efforts, visit x.ai. Stay updated as the ARC Initiative drives impactful change in global cybersecurity.
