In a strategic move to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities, Microsoft announced on June 10, 2025, the acquisition of Miburo, a New York-based cybersecurity firm specializing in detecting and countering foreign information operations. This acquisition aims to enhance Microsoft’s threat detection and analysis, particularly in identifying and mitigating disinformation campaigns orchestrated by nation-states.
Miburo, founded in 2012 by Clint Watts—a former U.S. Army officer and FBI agent—has established itself as a leader in analyzing foreign influence operations. The firm’s research teams are adept at detecting and attributing malign and extremist influence campaigns across 16 languages, providing critical insights into how foreign actors employ information operations alongside other cyberattacks to achieve their objectives.
Under the terms of the acquisition, Miburo will become part of Microsoft’s Customer Security and Trust organization. The integration will see Miburo’s analysts collaborating closely with the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, the Threat Context Analysis team, and Microsoft’s data scientists. This collaboration is expected to expand Microsoft’s threat detection and analysis capabilities, enabling the company to address new cyber threats more effectively.
Tom Burt, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Customer Security and Trust, emphasized the significance of the acquisition in a blog post: “With the acquisition of Miburo, we will continue our mission to take action and to partner with others in the public and private sectors to find long-term solutions that will stop foreign adversaries from threatening public and private sector customers and, in fact, the very foundations of our democracy.”
The acquisition comes at a time when cyber threats from nation-states are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive. Microsoft’s move reflects a broader trend among tech giants to invest heavily in cybersecurity to protect their infrastructure and users. The company has previously acquired other cybersecurity firms, including RiskIQ and ReFirm Labs, to enhance its security offerings.
Clint Watts, who will join Microsoft as General Manager of the Digital Threat Analysis Center (DTAC), brings a wealth of experience in countering foreign information operations. His expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Microsoft’s capabilities in identifying and mitigating disinformation campaigns.
Miburo’s integration into Microsoft’s cybersecurity ecosystem is anticipated to provide enhanced real-time threat intelligence and protection to customers across various sectors, including government, finance, and healthcare. By leveraging Miburo’s specialized knowledge, Microsoft aims to offer more robust defenses against the complex and evolving landscape of cyber threats.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. However, the acquisition underscores Microsoft’s commitment to strengthening its cybersecurity infrastructure and its proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by foreign information operations.
