Amazon has temporarily halted its $1 billion rollout of Microsoft 365 following a cyberattack tied to Russian-linked hackers earlier this year. The deal, announced in October 2023, would provide Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook to 1.5 million Amazon employees over a five-year period.
The pause stems from security concerns raised after the Midnight Blizzard hacking group reportedly breached Microsoft systems. Amazon’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), CJ Moses, has requested enhanced user activity tracking and near-real-time logging from Microsoft to mitigate unauthorized access risks. Engineers from both companies are collaborating to resolve these issues.
While the delay highlights growing concerns over cloud security amid geopolitical tensions, Amazon has indicated that the rollout is expected to resume in 2025, emphasizing that the deal remains intact. The company’s cautious approach reflects heightened scrutiny over cloud-based tools as cyber threats continue to escalate globally.
