Latest news with #StateofCybersecurityResilience2025
Techday NZ
14 hours ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Accenture to acquire CyberCX, boosting Asia Pacific security
Accenture has announced an agreement to acquire CyberCX, a cybersecurity services provider in the Asia Pacific region, to strengthen its capabilities and client service offerings in the sector. CyberCX, founded in Melbourne in 2019, employs approximately 1,400 cybersecurity professionals and delivers services to both private and public sector clients across Australia, New Zealand and internationally. The company provides end-to-end services, including consulting, transformation, managed security, offensive security, cyber physical security, crisis management, threat intelligence, and managed detection and response. Additional offerings include strategic advisory, identity, cloud, and network security solutions. With advanced security operations centres located across Australia and New Zealand, and additional offices in London and New York, CyberCX combines regional insight with international reach. Its service portfolio includes AI-powered security platforms that provide detection and response, sovereign secure cloud, a cybersecurity training academy, and proprietary tools for security testing and cyber intelligence. The acquisition is set to be Accenture's largest in the cybersecurity space to date and is expected to expand its service footprint in Asia Pacific, supporting its business resilience, protection of critical infrastructure, and secure enterprise transformation. Accenture's recent research, the State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025 report, found that 97% of Australian organisations remain unprepared to secure their AI-driven operations and 80% lack key data and AI cybersecurity practices to safeguard their models, data pipelines, and cloud infrastructure. According to Paolo Dal Cin, Global Lead at Accenture Cybersecurity, the two companies have aligned perspectives on how cybersecurity supports business transformation and resilience. "CyberCX and Accenture share a mission to harness the power of cyber to help our clients securely navigate change, accelerate business reinvention and build resilience against evolving threats. By combining Accenture's agentic AI capabilities with CyberCX's strong market leadership, innovative offerings and trusted C-suite and government relationships, we will enable clients across Asia Pacific to transform cybersecurity into a strategic advantage." CyberCX holds partnerships with major cybersecurity companies, including Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, and CrowdStrike, and has received recognition in the region for its managed services and system integration capabilities. The business is supported by over 2,600 certifications, reflecting expertise across its service areas. Peter Burns, who leads Accenture's business in Australia and New Zealand, commented on the changing landscape in cybersecurity demand and the impact of advancing technologies. "Client demand for cybersecurity services is accelerating as data and digital environments become increasingly connected and heightened threats are exposed across operational value chains, supply chains and the enterprise. The need for responsible governance is also rising as AI and Quantum technologies advance. CyberCX's breadth of capabilities, trusted relationships with government and critical infrastructure organisations, and exceptional talent in the region, combined with Accenture's local and global scale and innovation, will help us meet this ever-increasing client need." John Paitaridis, Chief Executive Officer of CyberCX, highlighted the significance of the deal for the firm's growth and its mission to enhance cyber defences for clients. "We are immensely proud of the business we have built, becoming one of the leading providers of cybersecurity services in the region. Joining Accenture's global cybersecurity organisation enables our exceptional people to combine forces with global capabilities and provide world-leading cybersecurity services to an even greater number of clients across Asia Pacific as we accelerate our growth in the region. Our shared mission for helping clients stay ahead of emerging threats and build resilience makes this a force multiplier." The planned transaction follows a series of cybersecurity acquisitions by Accenture since 2015. Past deals include the acquisitions of Morphus, MNEMO Mexico and Innotec Security, among others. The company states the acquisition of CyberCX is part of its strategy to enhance its cybersecurity offerings and solutions globally. The deal terms were not disclosed. The finalisation of the acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Business Wire
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Accenture to Acquire CyberCX, Expanding Cybersecurity Capabilities in Asia Pacific
NEW YORK & MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire CyberCX, a leading privately-owned cybersecurity services provider serving both private and public sector organizations across Australia, New Zealand and internationally. The move represents Accenture's largest cybersecurity acquisition to date and will significantly bolster Accenture's cybersecurity services in Asia Pacific. It will further expand Accenture's leading position in the region, enhancing its ability to build business resilience, protect critical infrastructure and drive secure enterprise reinvention amidst an increasingly complex regulatory and threat landscape. Established in Melbourne, Australia in 2019, CyberCX is one of the largest and most prominent cybersecurity firms in the Asia Pacific region with a highly skilled workforce of approximately 1,400 professionals. The company's end-to-end services extend across consulting, transformation and managed security services and include advanced capabilities in offensive security and cyber physical security, crisis management, threat intelligence, managed detection and response, as well as strategic advisory, identity, cloud and network security. CyberCX operates a network of advanced security operations centers across Australia and New Zealand, with additional offices in London and New York, combining deep local insight with international reach. Additionally, CyberCX brings innovative AI-powered platforms that deliver cybersecurity services including detection and response, sovereign secure cloud, CyberCX Academy for training and learning as well as proprietary tools for security testing and cyber intelligence. This strategic move is timely given Accenture's recent State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025 report, which found that 97% of Australian organizations are not adequately prepared to secure their AI-driven future, with 80% lacking the critical data and AI cybersecurity practices needed to protect models, data pipelines and cloud infrastructure. 'CyberCX and Accenture share a mission to harness the power of cyber to help our clients securely navigate change, accelerate business reinvention and build resilience against evolving threats,' said Paolo Dal Cin, global lead, Accenture Cybersecurity. 'By combining Accenture's agentic AI capabilities with CyberCX's strong market leadership, innovative offerings and trusted C-suite and government relationships, we will enable clients across Asia Pacific to transform cybersecurity into a strategic advantage.' CyberCX has established strong ecosystem partnerships across major cybersecurity players such as Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike, consistently winning awards as one of the top managed service and system integrators in the region. This success is underpinned by extensive expertise, showcased through over 2,600 certifications. "Client demand for cybersecurity services is accelerating as data and digital environments become increasingly connected and heightened threats are exposed across operational value chains, supply chains and the enterprise. The need for responsible governance is also rising as AI and Quantum technologies advance,' said Peter Burns, who leads Accenture's business in Australia and New Zealand. 'CyberCX's breadth of capabilities, trusted relationships with government and critical infrastructure organizations, and exceptional talent in the region, combined with Accenture's local and global scale and innovation, will help us meet this ever-increasing client need.' John Paitaridis, CEO of CyberCX, said, 'We are immensely proud of the business we have built, becoming one of the leading providers of cybersecurity services in the region. Joining Accenture's global cybersecurity organization enables our exceptional people to combine forces with global capabilities and provide world-leading cybersecurity services to an even greater number of clients across Asia Pacific as we accelerate our growth in the region. Our shared mission for helping clients stay ahead of emerging threats and build resilience makes this a force multiplier.' The acquisition of CyberCX will be the latest in a series of strategic moves by Accenture to expand its cybersecurity capabilities and solutions. Since 2015, Accenture has completed 20 security acquisitions, including most recently acquiring Morphus, MNEMO Mexico and Innotec Security. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'likely,' 'anticipates,' 'aspires,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'projects,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'positioned,' 'outlook,' 'goal,' 'target' and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture and CyberCX will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties' ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI could harm the company's business, damage its reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's debt obligations could adversely affect its business and financial condition; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the 'Risk Factors' heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in Item 1A, 'Risk Factors' in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at Accenture is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including strategy, protection, resilience and industry-specific cyber services. We bring security innovation, coupled with global scale and a worldwide delivery capability through our network of Cyber Fusion Centers. Helped by our team of 29,000 highly skilled specialists, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Visit us at
Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Businesses must get ready to face AI-powered threats
New technology is outpacing cyber security capabilities in the vast majority of companies, writes Freha Arshad Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In Scotland, where industries like financial services, life sciences and energy thrive – cyber risks are magnifying. Companies that are rich in data and intellectual property are lucrative targets for cyber criminals. Organisations are hyper aware of this. Our State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025 report shows 72 per cent of organisations globally have reported an increase in cyber threats, and 63 per cent cite an evolving threat landscape as their biggest challenge. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gen AI in the wrong hands, with its power to automate and scale attacks, has made threats more sophisticated. Scammers can use deepfakes to impersonate senior executives and defraud people of significant sums. It's a strategic risk that undermines business operations and erodes customer trust. Freha Arshad, Accenture Managing Director for Security, UK Are Businesses Prepared? The short answer is not yet. While only 36 per cent of technology leaders acknowledge that AI is outpacing their security capabilities, the reality is that 90 per cent of companies lack the maturity needed to defend against today's AI-powered threats. Just 34 per cent of organisations worldwide have a mature cyber strategy. Fewer still – only 13 per cent – have the advanced cyber capabilities required to counter the speed, scale, and sophistication of AI-driven attacks. The rise of social engineering attacks means an organisation's people and IT parameters are still paramount as a first line of defence – but these threats also mean security is now a shared responsibility across the business. Effective cybersecurity requires new ways to think about strategy and capabilities. Real-world resilience Security must be embedded in governance structures and be a boardroom priority (Picture: A big call to action for Scottish businesses is to remove the silos. Security must be embedded into governance structures and elevated to a priority at the board – and no longer just the preserve of the CISO. This thinking also applies to the activation of new programmes. Our research found only 28 per cent of organisations embed security into transformation initiatives from the start, forcing many to retrofit defences later. This reactive approach is unsustainable. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is also the issue of disproportionate investment. Spending on gen AI initiatives is outpacing investments in securing gen AI. This needs to be addressed. AI must be developed, deployed and operated with security integrated at every stage. Furthermore, very few organisations maintain a comprehensive inventory of AI systems, which is crucial for managing supply chain risks. Finally, skills are equally critical. While Scotland has a growing tech talent pool, the demand for cyber security professionals is rocketing and skills shortages are rife. It's a global problem – with 83 per cent of executives citing workforce limitations as a major barrier to maintaining a secure posture. From vulnerability to advantage This is not just about protecting against threats but about creating value. Organisations that demonstrate maturity in both strategy and capability, are 69 per cent less likely to experience advanced attacks and see 1.6 times higher returns on their AI investments. Cyber threats are no longer just about stealing data – they are about manipulating it, corrupting it, and using it against businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad By making cybersecurity a board-level priority, fostering collaboration between business and security teams, and continuously investing in skills, Scottish businesses can navigate the new world of AI threats with confidence.
Techday NZ
02-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Most Asia Pacific firms unprepared for AI-driven cyber threats
A new report from Accenture has found that 90% of organisations worldwide are not adequately prepared to defend against cyber threats driven by artificial intelligence, with those in New Zealand facing potentially higher risks. The "State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025" report identifies a significant global gap in cybersecurity maturity, noting that the pace of cyber threat evolution is outstripping many organisations' ability to respond effectively. Although only 36% of organisations surveyed acknowledged that their security posture is being overtaken by advancements in AI, the general consensus highlights mounting concern about readiness levels. The report outlines three main zones of security maturity. The "Reinvention Ready Zone" comprises just 10% of organisations that demonstrate adaptive and resilient approaches to continuously evolving cyber threats. The "Progressing Zone" consists of 27% of organisations that have achieved some strength but struggle with strategic direction or the implementation of defences. The majority, 63%, are listed in the "Exposed Zone", characterised by limited cyber readiness and a reactive approach, conditions that are further challenged by complex AI-driven environments. In the Asia Pacific region, the situation appears more acute. The report found 71% of organisations in the region are in the most at-risk, or Exposed Zone, compared to the global average of 63%. The figures suggest Asia Pacific, and by extension New Zealand, may be facing heightened vulnerability in the context of fast-evolving threats. Justin Mowday, Country Managing Director for Accenture in New Zealand, linked this vulnerability to a broader set of global and economic challenges. "Rising geopolitical tensions, economic volatility and increasingly complex operational environments are leaving organisations more exposed to cyber risks. This report serves as a wake-up call that cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought. It must be embedded by design into every AI-driven initiative. Taking this proactive approach will help ensure a competitive edge, strengthen customer loyalty and turn cybersecurity into a business enabler." The report proposes four critical actions for organisations seeking to enter the Reinvention Ready Zone and better protect against AI-driven threats. These include the development of purpose-built security governance frameworks aligning AI security with business and regulatory imperatives; designing digital cores that are secure for generative AI from the outset; ensuring resilience through secure AI system foundations able to detect, address and respond to emerging threats; and leveraging generative AI to automate security workflows, fortify defences, and improve early threat detection. Mary Attard, Security Lead for Accenture in Australia and New Zealand, commented on the particular challenges posed by generative AI. "The rapid advancement of gen AI represents a profound paradigm shift in cybersecurity, bringing unique challenges and opportunities. By designing AI systems with security at their core and continuously monitoring and updating them, organisations can stay ahead of the most critical threats. Business resilience requires readiness, rapid response to disruptive forces and confidence in your organisation's ability to act effectively." The findings of the Accenture report highlight a pressing need for organisations in New Zealand and throughout the Asia Pacific region to reassess their cybersecurity strategies. The report suggests that firms that strive to reach a higher level of security maturity can derive greater value from their AI investments, while those that fall behind may see increased exposure to risk and operational disruption. Organisations are being encouraged to invest in developing cohesive and robust cybersecurity strategies—embedding protective measures into their AI deployments from inception, not as an afterthought. The report emphasises the importance of aligning these strategies with both regulatory expectations and broader business objectives, to safeguard not only data and systems but also customer trust and business continuity. Follow us on: Share on:
Business Wire
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Only One in 10 Organizations Globally Are Ready to Protect Against AI-Augmented Cyber Threats
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As artificial intelligence (AI) radically reshapes business, a vast majority of organizations (90%) are not adequately prepared to secure their AI-driven future, according to a new report from Accenture (NYSE: ACN). Globally, nearly two-thirds (63%) of companies are in the 'Exposed Zone,' indicating they lack both a cohesive cybersecurity strategy and necessary technical capabilities. Accenture's 'State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025' report is based on a survey of 2,286 cybersecurity and technology executives from large organizations around the globe. It reveals that the rapid AI adoption has dramatically accelerated the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats, far outpacing current enterprise cyber defenses. For example, more than three-quarters (77%) of organizations lack the essential data and AI security practices needed to protect critical business models, data pipelines and cloud infrastructure. "Rising geopolitical tensions, economic volatility and increasingly complex operational environments, coupled with AI-augmented attacks, are leaving organizations more vulnerable to cyber risks. This report serves as a wake-up call that cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought. It must be embedded by design into every AI-driven initiative,' said Paolo Dal Cin, global lead, Accenture Security. 'Taking this proactive approach will help ensure a competitive edge, strengthen customer loyalty and turn cybersecurity into a business enabler.' Despite the rapid growth of AI enterprise adoption, only 22% of organizations have implemented clear policies and training for gen AI use. Furthermore, very few maintain a comprehensive inventory of AI systems, which is crucial for managing supply chain risks. Additionally, data protection remains inadequate, with only 25% of organizations fully leveraging encryption methods and access controls to protect sensitive information. "The rapid advancement of gen AI represents a profound paradigm shift in cybersecurity, bringing unique challenges and opportunities. By designing AI systems with security at their core and continuously monitoring and updating them, organizations can stay ahead of the most critical threats,' said Daniel Kendzior, global Data and AI Security Lead at Accenture. 'Business resilience requires readiness to quickly response to disruptive forces and confidence in your organization's ability to act effectively.' The research also reveals widespread cybersecurity immaturity across regions, highlighting a critical gap between ambition and readiness. Only 14% of North American and 11% of European organizations have mature postures. In Latin America, 77% lack basic strategies and capabilities, while 71% of Asia-Pacific organizations remain in the 'Exposed Zone,' facing serious operational and financial risk. The research identifies three distinct security maturity zones based on an organization's cybersecurity strategy and technical capabilities. The top group—which Accenture calls the 'Reinvention Ready Zone' comprising only 10% of organizations—have an adaptive resilient security posture that continuously evolves to counter emerging threats. The middle 27% in the 'Progressing Zone' show strength but struggle with defining strategic direction or implementing defenses. The most at-risk group, in the 'Exposed Zone,' makes up 63% of organizations characterized by limited cyber readiness and a reactive posture to threats. These conditions are exacerbated by today's complex AI environment and global risk factors. Reinvention Ready companies, however, are 69% less likely to face advanced attacks and are 1.5 times more effective at blocking them. They also have 1.3 times greater visibility across IT and OT environments, have reduced technical debt by 8% and see a 15% boost in customer trust, demonstrating how stronger cybersecurity practices drive both resilience and business value. Four critical actions necessary to reach the "Reinvention Ready Zone" are: Develop and deploy a fit-for-purpose security governance framework and operating model accounting for the realities of an AI-disrupted world to establish clear accountability and align AI security with regulatory and business objectives. Design a digital core to be generative AI secure from the outset by embedding security into AI development, deployment and operational processes. Maintain resilient AI systems with secure foundations that proactively address emerging threats, enhance detection capabilities, enable AI-model testing and improve response mechanisms. Reinvent cybersecurity with gen AI by leveraging it to automate security processes, strengthen cyber defenses and detect threats sooner. You can explore the State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025 report in Accenture Foresight, Accenture's thought leadership app, which provides a personalized feed of all our latest reports, case studies, blogs, interactive data charts, podcasts and more. Download the app at Methodology Accenture Researched surveyed 2,286 executives—comprised of 80% chief information security officers and 20% chief information officers—from large organizations (revenues of >US$1 billion) in 24 industries across 17 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. The survey was conducted online from end of October to December 2024. For more information on the methodology, including the development of the Security Posture Maturity and defining Security Zones, read the full report here. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at Accenture Security Accenture Security is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including strategy, protection, resilience and industry-specific cyber services. We bring security innovation, coupled with global scale and a worldwide delivery capability through our network of Cyber Fusion Centers. Helped by our team of 27,000 highly skilled professionals, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Visit us at
