Microsoft has announced the launch of its Advancing Regional Cybersecurity (ARC) Initiative, a new effort that will boost regional preparedness, resilience, and coordination in the face of increased cyber threats.
The initiative kicks off with a flagship partnership with Kenya’s National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee (NC4), a move that underscores the importance of multistakeholder collaboration in the digital era.
“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,” said Amy Hogan-Burney – VP, Customer Security & Trust at Microsoft. “Through the ARC Initiative, we’re focused on deepening cooperation, sharing threat intelligence, and building the technical capabilities of national and regional institutions to respond effectively to cyber incidents.”
This collaboration comes at a time when digital transformation across the Global South, particularly in Africa, is accelerating rapidly, outpacing the maturity of cybersecurity infrastructure.
For instance, over the past year alone, several high-profile incidents, including a data breach at a regional SME authority and a ransomware attack on a state-owned telecom provider, have highlighted the critical need for strengthened cyber defences.