Microsoft President Calls for Stronger U.S. Action Against Foreign Cyber Threats

Brad Smith urges the Trump administration to prioritize cybersecurity amid escalating attacks from Russia, China, and Iran.

Microsoft President Brad Smith has called on the incoming Trump administration to take a more aggressive stance against state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting U.S. institutions and elections.
Smith highlighted the growing frequency of hacking and ransomware campaigns linked to Russia, China, and Iran, describing the current level of attacks as unacceptable.
Microsoft itself has faced criticism for security lapses, including a 2023 breach attributed to Chinese hackers that compromised U.S. government email accounts, which a watchdog deemed preventable.
CEO Satya Nadella has pledged to prioritize security, including tying employee compensation to cybersecurity performance, following scrutiny of the company's practices.
Smith also advocated for streamlined export processes for U.S. digital technologies to compete with Chinese advancements in regions like Africa and the Middle East.