Microsoft employees will now be evaluated on their security efforts. This should cement security as a core priority in the company’s DNA, after several major failures in this area.

Microsoft is making security a core priority and is now informing employees that security will now be part of the evaluation conversations. All employees should think about their role in security solutions and approach all work with security as a priority.

HR chief Kathleen Hogan makes it clear in a memo to employees shared with The Verge: “Safety is our top priority, and safety is everyone’s top priority at Microsoft.” She’s referring to priorities that employees take to evaluation meetings, or “connects” in Microsoft-speak. “When it comes to a trade-off, the answer is clear and simple,” Hogan continues. “Safety comes first.”

New direction from Microsoft

Integrating safety into the mindset of all employees is no accident. CEO Satya Nadella told his company earlier this year that safety will be an absolute priority, even if it delays other matters.

Nadella’s change of course did not come out of the blue either. Microsoft had to admit that security had not always been up to standard in the past. This had concrete consequences, such as Chinese hackers breaking into Microsoft’s mail servers last year.

According to the memo, employees must now take security seriously. Promotions, layoff raises and bonuses will now be contingent on it. “Security Core Priority is not a checkbox compliance exercise,” Hogan added. “It’s an opportunity for every employee and manager to commit to making security a priority and take responsibility for it.”