The volume of cyber threats is growing exponentially. At the same time, attackers remain primarily motivated by financial gain—leveraging ransomware, extortion, and data theft to disrupt operations and demand payment. As AI accelerates attacker capabilities, it will become even more imperative for defenders to incorporate AI to match the threat. Microsoft processes more than 100 trillion security signals daily, offering deep visibility into emerging threats. This year’s Microsoft Digital Defense Report examines these shifts in detail, providing data-driven insights and practical recommendations for organizations navigating today’s environment. Key findings include: ● Government agencies, IT, research and academia saw the highest levels of cyber threats in 2025. ● Over half of cyberattacks resulted in extortion or ransomware. ● Most attacks were financially motivated; only 4% focused solely on espionage. ● MFA blocks 99% of unauthorized access attempts, making it a top defense. Resilience and collaboration are essential. As organizations strengthen identity protection, invest in security awareness, and build adaptive defense strategies, global partnerships remain critical to safeguarding economic stability and individual safety. Explore more of our report for a comprehensive analysis of emerging threats and actionable guidance. https://msft.it/6045sfMub
Microsoft On the Issues
Technology, Information and Internet
Redmond, Washington 88,087 followers
News & perspectives on today's pressing tech issues, AI, sustainability, security and more for #Microsoft. 👇
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News and perspectives on the future of tech, public policy and philanthropic topics for #Microsoft. ➡️ https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/
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Microsoft TechSpark partners with students, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and workers to build future-ready economies across the US. From workforce skilling to AI adoption, TechSpark is helping expand access to digital tools, create jobs, and strengthen local ecosystems. Since 2017, TechSpark has supported local leaders and through the TechSpark Fellows, to unlock opportunities in underserved communities, demonstrating that inclusive innovation is possible anywhere. ⬇️ Learn more about TechSpark and its impact➡️ https://msft.it/6046s4czi
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AI offers a major opportunity to improve cancer diagnostics by enabling faster and more accurate detection, helping doctors deliver better care to more people. However, there’s a gap between impressive AI research results and their practical use in real-world clinical settings. Microsoft is tackling these barriers head-on. Through open collaboration with medical experts, responsible innovation, and transparent methodologies, we’re building AI solutions that clinicians can trust—and patients can benefit from.
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Microsoft’s threat analysts and digital crimes specialists are leading efforts to track and understand the evolution of Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS). By monitoring global trends and sharing insights, Microsoft helps organizations and individuals recognize new risks and strengthen their security strategies. Cybercrime-as-a-Service is changing how threat actors operate. Organized groups now use the same tools and practices as technology companies, making cybercrime more accessible and efficient. Specialized vendors sell packaged tools and services on encrypted platforms and dark web marketplaces. Phishing-as-a-Service kits can be rented for as little as fifty dollars per month, allowing anyone to launch attacks without technical expertise. Read more about the risks and what you can do to stay alert: https://msft.it/6041sNPm3
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No single organization can solve climate challenges alone. We need public-private partnerships, peer-to-peer learning, and cross-sector alliances to create the market conditions and workforce pipelines that benefit the planet, communities, and businesses. In this issue of Sustainably Speaking, our CSO Melanie Nakagawa and Noelle Walsh, President of Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation, share how these principles come to life in Wisconsin at our new AI datacenter: 🔌Energy: Fully funding our datacenter’s energy needs by working with the local utility to ensure that we are responsible for all of the costs of energy and new related infrastructure to serve our datacenter operations and matching all fossil power with carbon-free sources, including a new 250 MW solar project and a $20M community fund launching in 2027. 💧Water: A closed-loop liquid cooling system recirculates water to cool over 90% of servers, keeping annual usage as low as a typical restaurant. 👥 Community impact: Creating jobs and launching tech training programs. Across Microsoft, partners and teams are leading the way for a more sustainable digital future. Read the latest edition to learn how we’re building datacenters with sustainability and community front and center.
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When used responsibly, AI opens new possibilities for creativity, connection, and safety. Unfortunately, some actors are misusing AI to create harmful content and threaten digital trust, putting individuals and communities at risk. Microsoft is taking a comprehensive approach to protect people from abusive AI-generated content. Through robust AI safety measures, collaboration across industries, advocating for new policies, and taking legal action, we’re working to prevent the misuse of our platforms and advancing online safety. Learn more about our commitments to safety, responsible AI, and protecting our users. https://msft.it/6042sLqoO
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Cyber mercenaries are changing the landscape of digital risk, enabling sophisticated attacks that reach far beyond traditional targets. Their services are fueling a growing ecosystem where advanced intrusion capabilities are more accessible than ever. Research and academic institutions have become prime testing grounds for new attack techniques, making them a critical front line in the effort to protect innovation and safeguard sensitive information. The lessons learned here often shape the security posture of organizations everywhere. Addressing this challenge requires a united response. Collaboration across industry and government is essential to disrupt the market for cyber mercenary services and strengthen the resilience of our connected world.
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AI is a powerful tool for local economic development, opening new doors for students, entrepreneurs, and workers. Through Microsoft TechSpark, we’re partnering with local leaders and nonprofits to expand digital skills, create jobs, and spark innovation, from workforce skilling in Eastern Kentucky to advanced manufacturing in Wisconsin. Since launch, TechSpark has helped secure over $700M+ in community funding and supported 65,000 people in building new career opportunities. These results show what’s possible when we listen deeply and invest in people who know their communities best. The 2025 TechSpark Impact report shows how AI can be a bridge to local prosperity, not a barrier. Learn more about this progress in the 2025 report: https://msft.it/6049sanMz
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In the past year, the Copilot Voice system, part of Microsoft’s broader consumer Copilot service relaunch, underwent a Sensitive Uses and Emerging Technologies review to address the novel risks associated with its voice and audio capabilities. The review process involved extensive red teaming, risk identification, and mitigation efforts, ensuring the system's safe deployment. Additionally, the team developed transparency documentation to inform users about the AI feature's capabilities, limitations, and best practices. Learn about this case study in our 2025 Responsible AI Transparency Report. https://msft.it/6047svt5b
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Rural hospitals provide vital healthcare services to communities across the United States. For many people, they are a lifeline. But denied insurance claims put pressure on already limited staff and threaten the stability of essential services, costing small facilities up to $330,000 a year to recover lost payments. A new AI-powered tool aims to help rural hospitals overcome the costly and time-consuming challenge of denied insurance claims. Developed by Microsoft Partners and rural health leaders through Microsoft’s Rural Health AI Innovation Lab, the Claims Denial Navigator aims to support hospitals in resolving denied claims more efficiently and recovering revenue faster. It’s part of Microsoft’s Rural Health Resilience Program, which equips essential healthcare organizations with technology and training to strengthen financial viability. We’re proud to stand with rural healthcare providers and help them stay focused on what matters most: caring for their communities. Learn more about how this tool is making a difference. https://msft.it/6049sQTal
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