NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 100 Resilient Cities – Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) today announced a new partnership with Microsoft Corporation to help cities build cyber security strategies and combat online threats.  Microsoft is joining 100RC's "Platform Partners" – a group of organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that provide critical tools to help cities around the world become more resilient to the shocks and stresses that are a growing part of the 21^st century.

"As governments become increasingly reliant on digital communications and commerce, cyber security has emerged as a top priority for our cities," said Michael Berkowitz.  "By partnering with an industry leader such as Microsoft, we are helping our cities build resilience so they can serve their citizens better in both good times and bad, and more ably address the challenges they face in a 21^st century world."

Microsoft empowers cities to embrace the increasingly digital landscape through Microsoft CityNext – an initiative aimed at helping cities increase productivity and efficiency by implementing social, mobile, cloud and data technology solutions.

"Security, resiliency and technology are all intertwined in today's cities," said Rob Bernard, chief environmental and cities strategist for Microsoft. "With Microsoft CityNext, we are working with city leaders to help them identify and address cyber, physical and resource vulnerabilities. With proper planning and tools, it is possible for resilient cities to be more prepared for not only the stresses and shocks that may occur, but also to provide a better and more vibrant city through the use of information and technology. We are proud to partner with 100RC to allow cities to better leverage technology to meet their growing needs."

By working closely with a global partner network of specialized smart city solution partners and company cybersecurity experts Microsoft will provide the following to select 100RC member cities:

• Best practices and resources for cities to develop a cybersecurity strategy as part of their resilience program
• Cybersecurity experts who will lead workshops to help cities prioritize their cyber needs.
• Facilitation of cybersecurity knowledge exchanges at 100RC-organized city workshops.

These tools will be made available to select members of 100RC's Network, and will be used to help design and implement the cities' long term resilience strategies.  Platform partners are a vital component of 100RC's efforts, both helping provide cities with tools they need to build resilience, and also influencing the market as other resilience tools are developed.  Platform partners are from the private sector, public sector, NGO, and academic community.  

Platform partners are dedicated to providing 100RC Network cities with solutions that integrate Big Data, Analytics, Technology, resilience land use planning, infrastructure design, and new financing and insuring products.  Other 100RC platform partners include Swiss Re, Palantir, the World Bank, Architecture for Humanity the American Institute of Architects, and Sandia National Laboratories. 

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About 100 Resilient Cities—Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation 
100 Resilient Cities - Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21^st century.   100RC supports the adoption and incorporation of a view of resilience that includes not just the shocks – earthquakes, fires, floods, etc. – but also the stresses that weaken the fabric of a city on a day to day or cyclical basis.  Examples of these stresses include high unemployment; an overtaxed or inefficient public transportation system; endemic violence; or chronic food and water shortages.  By addressing both the shocks and the stresses, a city becomes more able to respond to adverse events, and is overall better able to deliver basic functions in both good times and bad, to all populations. 

Cities in the 100RC network are provided with the resources along four main pathways: 1) Financial and logistical guidance for establishing an innovative new position in city government, a Chief Resilience Officer, who will lead the city's resilience efforts; 2) Expert support for development of a robust resilience building strategy; 3) Access to solutions, service providers, and partners from the private, public and NGO sectors who can help them develop and implement their resilience strategies; and 4) Membership in a global network of member cities who can learn from and help each other. Through these offerings, 100RC aims not only help individual cities become more resilient, but to facilitate the creation of a global practice of resilience building.

100 Resilient Cities—Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation is financially supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and managed as a sponsored project by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides governance and operational infrastructure to its sponsored projects.

Learn more about RPA at www.rockpa.org the Rockefeller Foundation at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us and the Microsoft Global and Security Strategy and Diplomacy team at http://www.microsoft.com/security/cybersecurity/ 

CONTACT:

100RC: 
Maxwell Young
MYoung@100RC.org
+1-646-612-7142

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