THE article marks the Cyber Threat Alliance’s (CTA) ninth anniversary, noting that the idea of collective defence began when the CTA was conceived in 2014, at a time when threat intelligence was seen as a competitive advantage and collaboration between major security vendors was rare. It explains how four founding companies—Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, McAfee (Intel Security) and Symantec—came together on a handshake agreement to prove that collaboration at scale was possible and necessary.
According to Mark McLaughlin, then CEO of Palo Alto Networks, the charge to pursue the CTA was clear: “Don’t let this fail.” The piece also highlights the governance work, including guidance from ISAC and ISAO experts and the leadership of Michael Daniel to steer the CTA in its formative years. Fast forward to 2026, and the CTA is described as a global leader in cybersecurity policy with growing membership and a continuing focus on collaboration to protect customers worldwide. The article, by Kathi Whitbey, celebrates how the CTA’s early vision has evolved into a trusted, effective force against today’s threats.