Amazon, Google, And Microsoft Join US Government Cyber Defense Collaboration

Three major US internet companies join forces to fight ransomware. (photo: doc. google)

JAKARTA - US cybersecurity officials on Thursday, August 5 said Amazon, Google and Microsoft had signed up to help them fight ransomware and defend cloud computing systems from hackers.

The tech giant was among the companies that signed on to be part of the Joint Cyber ​​Defense Collaboration meant to combine government and private skills and resources to combat hackers, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

"With this incredibly capable partner, our initial focus is on fighting ransomware and developing a planning framework to coordinate incidents affecting cloud service providers," said CISA director Jen Easterly.

US President Joe Biden last week expressed concern about the recent increase in cyberattacks, including through ransomware, which typically sees hackers encrypting victims' data and then demanding money for restored access.

"If we end up in a war, a real shooting war, with great force, that will be the consequence of cyber breaches," Biden said.

Easterly introduces a new collaboration at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas, where professionals from across the industry meet to share research and innovation.

"The damage from cybercrime costs trillions in the world; and ransomware has become a scourge," said Easterly in a keynote presentation at the event. "I want to focus on strengthening government collaboration with the private sector - industry, academia, researchers, hackers."

The new center will be involved in coordinating national cyber defense and sharing insights on threats, as well as taking part in joint exercises, according to CISA.

Easterly urged more computer security companies to join the collaborative effort.

The list of those who have signed in includes Amazon Web Services, AT&T, Crowdstrike, FireEye, Google, and Microsoft.