Zerify Inc (ZRFY)

[ZPaul]

12/15/16- Microsoft $1B investment into cybersecurity
http://www.darkreading.com/operations/microsoft-execs-identity-threat-intelligence-driving-companys-security-strategy/d/d-id/1327727

What's next?
"I would love to completely get rid of passwords within the environment within two years," says Microsoft's Arsenault. "I also would like to reduce the number of point-based solutions we have to use, which cost a lot in terms of skills and talent."

Also on Arsenault's agenda is to replace its user-based network with a database network, which has identity as a perimeter. In this case, anyone who wants to access corporate resources would have to enable multi-factor authentication from a device deemed healthy.

As Microsoft's security team closes out 2016, it's looking at the challenges businesses will face next year, namely the growth of data and expansion of the mobile workforce and BYOD policies, Mitra says.

Gartner's Firstbrook says ransomware is the most prevalent problem businesses will face, and he cautions against the exploitation of PowerShell and other Windows utilities. Microsoft has a strong focus on security now, he says, but they could push the state-of-the-art more.

Its execs agree.

"We've got a lot more work to do. There's a lot more innovation to happen," Microsoft's Mitra says.

Microsoft promised to evolve endpoint security in the cloud and on-premises.

Office 365 and Azure provide endpoint, cloud, and identity intelligence, which helps the company as identity becomes a bigger part of its security strategy.