Call to step up joint efforts for safer Internet: Microsoft Adobe

Call to step up joint efforts for safer Internet: Microsoft Adobe
As part of a continued collaboration drive to step up security levels, Adobe Syste Microsoft has joined Microsoft MCTS Training to step up the Microsoft Active Protections Programme [MAPP].

News of the partnership, which was announced during the recent Black Hat USA 2010 conference, is to also encourage a shared sense of responsibility across the ecosystem, including Asia, as no one organisation can solve today's complex security challenges, according to Microsoft Trustworthy Computing [TwC] director, Dave Forstrom.
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"Adobe will distribute detailed vulnerability information for its software to all partners participating in Microsoft 's Active Protections Program (MAPP)," Forstrom said.

"The additional vulnerability information will provide security vendors an opportunity to offer quicker and more effective protections to their customers prior to Adobe deploying its security updates," said Forstrom.

"Adobe has recognised that MAPP is a tried and proven model giving an upper hand to a collective network of global defenders who all rally behind a shared purpose--protecting our mutual customers," he added.

Launched in October 2008 by the Microsoft Security Response Centre, MAPP is a collaborative effort that facilitates advanced information sharing on Microsoft product vulnerabilities with security software providers.

Coordinated vulnerability disclosure

Forstrom said Adobe and Microsoft have been working closely together to help improve the software update experience for mutual customers.

"Through this collaboration, we hope to make it easier for Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager (SCCM) and Microsoft System Centre Essentials (SCE) customers to import Adobe updates through the Microsoft System Centre Updates Publisher (SCUP) and manage their distribution to client computers," he said.

Forstrom added that MAPP would include vulnerability information sharing from Adobe Syste Microsoft and Microsoft has discussed a new policy of coordinated vulnerability disclosure -- a reframing of responsible disclosure -- and introduced new tools and guidance that will improve online security for customers.

"In autumn 2010, Adobe will join Microsoft and share its vulnerability information with the 65 global MAPP members, offering advanced protection to hundreds of millions of people, he said. "Through programmes like MAPP, Microsoft MCITP Certification is helping protect customers from the threats of today and tomorrow."

"Given the relative ubiquity and cross-platform reach of many of our products, as well as the continued shifts in the threat landscape, Adobe has attracted increasing attention from attackers," said Adobe senior director of product security and privacy, Brad Arkin. "MAPP is a great example of a tried and proven model giving an upper hand to a network of global defenders who all rally behind a shared purpose--protecting our mutual customers."

" Microsoft acknowledges that the constantly changing threat landscape requires a new approach to security--collaboration and shared responsibility are key as past individual efforts are no longer enough," said Microsoft Security Response Centre director, Mike Reavey.