Microsoft’s New European Security Program Comes As AI In SecOps Grows But With Gaps

Just like the physical world, the digital realm is always crawling with dangerous threats.

From e-commerce platforms to cryptocurrency companies, from consumer electronics manufacturers to complete countries, no one is safe!

That doesn’t mean that organizations aren’t trying to safeguard themselves.

According to Deep Instinct’s Voice of SecOps Report, the past year has seen 86% of organizations increase their use of AI in Security Operations (SecOps). While the rise in AI adoption for SecOps is a positive move, it comes with bugs in the system—which could spell bigger problems going ahead.

As per the study, 32% of respondents are facing difficulties relating to AI policies, and 37% fear facing financial penalties from such regulations. On a more basic level, 38% of respondents were unable to differentiate between deep learning and machine learning.

The study, which included a survey of 500 senior cybersecurity experts from U.S. companies with over 1,000 employees, also found that 72% of organizations have revised their cybersecurity strategies due to AI. This includes AI-powered threats, with 46% of the surveyed companies reporting an increase in phishing attacks and 43% citing deepfakes.

To mitigate such threats, 82% of organizations have moved towards a prevention-first security strategy, where 64% were encouraged by the C-suite.

“The traditional ‘detect and respond’ cybersecurity model is broken—it’s reactive, expensive, and no match for AI-powered threats,” said Deep Instinct CEO Lane Bess. “To win this fight, cybersecurity teams must shift from chasing threats to preventing them. Preemptive data security—powered by deep learning, the most advanced form of AI—is the only way for SecOps teams to regain control and stay ahead of adversaries.”

As for SecOps teams, 76% say it simplifies their work and can save an average of 12 hours per week, while 70% attribute it to a cause of burnout.

Of course, AI threats are a global problem that needs the keenest security companies to pay attention, and when it comes to AI and security working in tandem, one of the top names to pop up is Microsoft.

This globally present tech conglomerate has been a major backer of OpenAI, the current leader of the AI race and pioneer of the modern AI boom.

Recently, Microsoft announced a new initiative to expand its longstanding cybersecurity efforts in one of the biggest digitally active regions—Europe.


The tech giant’s new European Security Program will be made available to European governments free of charge. It spans all 27 European Union (EU) member states, as well as EU accession countries, members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the UK, Monaco, and the Vatican.

The new program adds to the company’s longstanding global Government Security Program (GSP), growing the geographic reach of its existing work, but brings three new elements to the table.

These include increasing AI-based threat intelligence sharing with European governments; making additional investments to strengthen cybersecurity capacity and resilience; and expanding its partnerships to disrupt cyberattacks and dismantle the networks cybercriminals use.

Microsoft’s GSP helps governments stay ahead of advancing cyber threats by enabling them to leverage threat intelligence insights, expand cybercrime reporting, provide foreign influence operations updates, and identify vulnerabilities and prioritize security communications, among other benefits.

Just like in Europe, African nations are stepping up their cyber defense game—but with a unique twist.

With cybercrime draining $3.5 billion annually from the continent—and 2023’s attacks up by 23%—Africa is fighting back through education.

Initiatives such as the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) Tech4Peace aims to teach technical cybersecurity skills to 500 students, while Carnegie Mellon University’s picoCTF-Africa trained over 1,700 students from 13 countries in practical cybersecurity in four years.

Assane Gueye, co-director of CMU-Africa, CyLab-Africa, and the Upanzi Network, believes that the globally applicable shortage of cybersecurity skills is more acute in Africa.

“We have more students interested in the field today, but the shortage is stark and likely to be worse as digitization takes place,” said Gueye. “Students don't have to be either-or; they can be both software engineers and cybersecurity professionals.”

“Cybersecurity threats evolve rapidly, and without a well-trained workforce, organizations are exposed,” says Martin Koyabe, senior manager and technical lead at the Global Forum of Cyber Expertise (GFCE) Africa. “It's not just about developing skills, but about building trust and providing continuous upskilling opportunities.”

Do you think Microsoft’s moves will help ease AI-related cybersecurity worries that governments in Europe have? Do you think such programs can benefit other countries too?

Let us know in the comments below!