Microsoft has launched a new initiative offering free cybersecurity support to European governments, aiming to bolster defences amid a surge in AI-driven cyber threats.
Announced this week, the initiative grants access to a comprehensive cybersecurity programme for all 27 EU member states, EU candidate countries, members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), as well as the UK, Monaco, and the Vatican. The programme is designed to enhance intelligence sharing, boost national cyber resilience, and build strategic partnerships to disrupt cybercriminal activity.
The company warned that cyberattacks across Europe are increasing in sophistication, with growing use of AI for credential theft, espionage, and ransomware operations. Academic institutions and government systems are among the key targets, Microsoft said.
Under the new initiative, participating governments will receive real-time threat intelligence, early warnings about vulnerabilities, and insights into foreign influence operations—including those involving deepfakes and audio manipulation.
Microsoft identified state-sponsored cyber actors from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia as primary sources of many of the ongoing attacks.
In a blog post, Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Europe’s digital security, stating, “We will remain a trusted and steadfast partner to Europe in securing its digital future.” He added that AI must continue to evolve more rapidly as a defensive tool than as a weapon in the hands of attackers.
Speaking to Reuters, Smith noted that while deepfake videos tend to draw public attention, manipulated audio has so far proven to be more impactful. He cited examples such as a fake audio clip used to sway Slovakia’s 2023 elections and a 2022 deepfake video falsely depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky surrendering to Russia.
As part of the effort, Microsoft is embedding staff within Europol’s cybercrime centre in The Hague and expanding support for NGOs through an extended partnership with the CyberPeace Institute.
The initiative comes amid heightened global concern over the security implications of generative AI, particularly as geopolitical tensions drive increased cyber activity targeting critical infrastructure and democratic institutions.
