National Institute of Standards and Technology Joins Microsoft’s Government Security Program

Microsoft Corp. (www.microsoft.com) today announced that the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has joined the Government Security Program (GSP), Microsoft's flagship government security initiative.

In addition to NIST, all U.S. federal agencies sponsored by NIST have access to Microsoft® Windows® source code and other GSP program benefits.

"Today's technologies pose unique security challenges for governments and industry," said Craig Mundie, senior vice president and chief technical officer of advanced strategies and policy at Microsoft.

Through the GSP, Microsoft offers participating governments access to Windows and Office source code as well as transparency through disclosure of technical information.

The goal of the GSP is to provide greater insight into the Windows and Office platforms' integrity and enhance the government's ability to design and build more-secure computing infrastructures.

Since its inception in January 2003, GSP membership has grown steadily to include more than 38 member countries and international organizations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

"In collaboration with our government customers, we are evolving our technologies and services to ensure that the business of government is grounded in a foundation of trusted technology."

The GSP is a no-fee initiative that enables program participants to review source code for the most current versions and service packs of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ServerTM 2003, Windows CE and Office 2003. In addition to source code access, the GSP provides for the disclosure of technical information about the Windows platform and Office 2003, enhancing governments' ability to build and deploy computing infrastructures with strong security technologies in place.

The program also promotes increased communication and collaboration between Microsoft security professionals and program participants, giving participants opportunities to visit Microsoft's development facilities in Redmond and to review various aspects of Windows source-code development, testing and deployment processes.

In addition to GSP, Microsoft recently introduced the Security Cooperation Program (SCP), a no-fee initiative that provides a structured way for governments and Microsoft to engage in cooperative security activities in the areas of computer incident response, attack mitigation and citizen outreach.

Founded in 1901, NIST is a nonregulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade and improve the quality of life.