Google, Microsoft to invest $30 billion in cybersecurity

Initiative follows a series of cyberattacks in the US targeting federal prosecutors and citizens

Following a meeting with President Joe Biden, Google and Microsoft have pledged to invest $10 billion and $20 billion in digital security over the next five years, reported Engadget.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, tweeted that $150 million of the amount pledged will be used to expand the company’s training network and help US agencies step up their digital security systems.

Moreover, The White House commented that “Microsoft… will immediately make available $150 million in technical services to help federal, state, and local governments with upgrading security protection, and will expand partnerships with community colleges and non-profits for cybersecurity training.”

Google, on the other hand, has planned to extend its zero-trust security model, securing software supply chain, building open-source security and offering more training opportunities to US citizens. Moreover, Google has ambitiously announced to help 100,000 Americans earn Google Career Certificates in cybersecurity over the next three years.

A series of cyberattacks in the US targeting federal prosecutors and citizens, like the recent Solar Winds Attack, prompted the White House to hold talks on August 25 with financial insurance companies, educational organizations like Code.org, and prime tech companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, ADP, IBM, and Microsoft. According to a senior Biden administration official, the White House wanted to trace the issue to the root cause and address vulnerabilities and operational practices to ensure tighter cybersecurity.

Besides the two tech companies, Apple promised to establish widespread supply chain protocols while Amazon offered to provide internal cybersecurity training to the public free of cost. Other participating companies created plans to expand cybersecuirty defences in government, society and industry.