Microsoft will continue to spend big on cyber security, with the company planning to contribute more than $1bn annually to research and development in the field.
Microsoft vice president of security Bharat Shah confirmed the company’s intentions in an interview with Reuters at the BlueHat cyber security conference.
Speaking in Tel Aviv, Shah said: “As more and more people use cloud, that spending has to go up,” adding that the $1bn investment doesn’t include future acquisitions.
Microsoft acquired Israeli security companies Aorato, Adallom, and Secure Islands in just a little over two years.
The company’s venture unit has also made three cyber security investments in Israel, including a recent undisclosed amount in Illusive Networks, which leverages deception technology to identify attacks.
Shah said at present, Microsoft does not have any near-term plans to deploy deception technology. The company is considering different technologies to use in the future.
Microsoft data shows that there are 600,000 to 700,000 cyber-attacks every week, more than 20 times the amount undertaken in 2014 and 2015.
The company builds security into its products and services from the start to deliver a 
platform to better protect users’ endpoints.
Last September, Microsoft partnered with Chinese tech giant Huawei for cyber security Buyers Guide.
The guide, produced with the nonprofit EastWest Institute, is designed to help the buyers, suppliers, and users of information and communications technologies better understand and address the cyber security and privacy risks inherent in information and communications technology products and services.
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