Microsoft signs cyber and digital MOU with federal government

All efforts aim to provide trusted, sovereign digital foundations for Australia’s security and economy

Microsoft and the Australian federal government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a bid to boost national security and support economic stability.

Both have established an agreement to create strategic cooperation on secure cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI, and critical infrastructure protection.

Tony Burke, federal minister for home and affairs and minister for cybersecurity and Lisa Monaco, Microsoft’s president of global affairs, signed the agreement this week.

The MOU also establishes an operating framework for ongoing strategic dialogue between Microsoft and the government to continually monitor progress and assess the evolving threat landscape.

All efforts aim to provide trusted, sovereign digital foundations for Australia’s security and economy in the face of rapidly changing technology and threat environments.

In the MOU, it highlights joint initiatives to protect Australia’s most critical digital assets and ensure vital services remain secure and under Australian control, especially amid evolving cyber threats in the AI era.

Focus areas include reinforcing the resilience of critical connectivity networks and data centre infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity threat information-sharing and response, supporting the secure adoption of AI in government, strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure providers, and collaborating on policy and regulatory measures to advance national digital resilience.

In April, Microsoft pledged $25 billion towards Australian infrastructure, AI and skills.

Monaco said in a statement, “Digital resilience is foundational to Australia’s national and economic security in the AI era.

“This partnership demonstrates what is possible when government and industry work together to strengthen critical systems, support trusted innovation, and ensure new technologies are deployed securely and responsibly in the national interest.”

Monaco added, “This collaborative approach is a strong example of how governments and industry can work together to support a more digitally resilient future, delivering meaningful benefits for the economy and society.”

Minister Burke said, “We can’t stop all cyber attacks. But agreements like this make sure we’re more resilient. There’s no better example of private/public partnership than cyber.”

The MOU is effective immediately.

CRN Australia has reached out to Microsoft for further comment.