In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, Accenture has announced a suite of advanced cybersecurity solutions. These solutions are designed to enhance business and cyber resilience by leveraging next-generation artificial intelligence (gen AI), deepfake protection, and quantum-safe data security solutions. Accenture aims to help clients across various industries fortify their defenses against evolving cyber threats. As cybercriminals become more adept at using AI and other advanced technologies to launch attacks, companies must match their sophistication to protect their digital assets efficiently. This proactive approach is spearheaded by Accenture’s Cyber Intelligence (ACI) researchers who have uncovered alarming trends and developed advanced solutions to counteract them.
The Rise of AI-Driven Cyberattacks
The increasing use of gen AI and large language models (LLMs) by cybercriminals has led to a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks. According to Accenture’s Cyber Intelligence (ACI) researchers, the trading of deepfake-related tools on dark web forums saw a staggering 223% increase in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This alarming trend highlights the need for organizations to adopt advanced AI-based cybersecurity measures capable of detecting, responding to, predicting, and preventing threats in real-time. The rapid evolution of AI-driven cyber threats necessitates a more comprehensive and preemptive approach to safeguarding digital infrastructure. Vinod Shankar, Security Lead for Southeast Asia at Accenture, emphasizes the importance of modern cybersecurity in protecting the entirety of a business, from its digital core to its supply chain. By implementing gen AI-powered and quantum-proof protections, organizations can more effectively counter advanced AI-driven threats. In Southeast Asia, Accenture’s newly introduced cybersecurity services aim to safeguard critical assets, enhance resilience, and help businesses navigate the region’s complex digital landscape confidently. This not only accelerates innovation but also ensures that organizations remain competitive and proactive in the face of ever-changing cyber threats.
Gen AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solutions
Accenture’s new cybersecurity services are specifically tailored to help clients adopt emerging technologies safely while simultaneously addressing evolving threats. These services, which Accenture also employs to protect its own business operations, include Secure AI Solutions, Deepfake Protection, Business Cyber Crisis Recovery, and a Quantum Security Suite. By incorporating these comprehensive solutions, organizations can build a robust cybersecurity framework that is both resilient and adaptive to emerging challenges. Secure AI Solutions are designed to establish resilience throughout the entire AI program lifecycle of an organization. These solutions incorporate best practices for developing frameworks, policies, and processes that ensure secure AI practices. They offer capabilities to assess and protect access, data, models, and infrastructure, thereby building trust-by-design in AI systems. Additionally, these solutions include red-teaming and adversarial simulations to identify vulnerabilities in AI systems, including LLMs, and incorporate a Gen AI Security Diagnostic to detect and secure unauthorized AI deployments. This comprehensive approach ensures that AI systems remain secure and trustworthy.
Deepfake Protection services are another critical component of Accenture’s new offerings. These services include security testing, monitoring, and the detection of deepfakes, powered by technologies from key partners like Reality Defender. The primary goal of these services is to stay ahead of evolving AI threats that impact various critical communication points such as customer contact centers and business video conferences. By proactively addressing deepfake threats, organizations can maintain the integrity of their communications and protect against malicious activities aimed at exploiting AI-generated content.
Enhancing Business Cyber Crisis Recovery
Accenture’s Business Cyber Crisis Recovery is a cloud-based solution that provides an essential service in the aftermath of a cyberattack. It enables C-suite leaders across industries such as healthcare, telecommunications, and oil & gas to quickly restore essential infrastructure and significantly reduce the downtime impacts associated with recovering from a cyberattack. With this solution, essential operations can be restored in hours rather than weeks, thus ensuring minimal disruption to business activities and maintaining operational continuity.
The Quantum Security Suite offers a comprehensive array of services designed to develop robust strategies for organizations. It focuses on discovering vulnerable encryption throughout an enterprise and replacing outdated technology by leveraging the latest quantum-safe algorithms recommended by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. By orchestrating the use of these algorithms securely and efficiently, the Quantum Security Suite provides a future-proof solution against potential quantum computing threats. This ensures that organizations are prepared for the next wave of technological advancements and the corresponding security challenges they may pose.
Consolidating Cybersecurity Tools for Efficiency
In response to the growing complexity of cybersecurity threats, many organizations (86%) are either actively or planning to consolidate their cybersecurity tools to streamline operations. In this context, Accenture is enhancing its core cybersecurity offerings with a centralized suite of assets known as Accenture mySecurity. This suite integrates gen AI into all cyber-resilience services across the supply chain, cloud, application, cyber resilience, and identity and access management. By doing so, Accenture helps organizations drive speed and efficiency in their efforts to protect against AI-driven threats and ensure comprehensive security coverage.
An example of Accenture’s active engagement in enhancing cybersecurity capabilities includes its efforts in shielding nations from cyberattacks. Accenture is assisting the Kuwait Government Central Agency for Information Technology by establishing and managing a National Security Operations Center. This collaborative effort aims to enhance visibility, detection, and remediation capabilities against evolving cyber threats. The project is supported by Accenture’s global network of Cyber Future Centers and a local 24/7 team dedicated to protecting the nation’s most critical organizations using the benefits of gen AI. Such initiatives demonstrate Accenture’s commitment to providing robust cybersecurity solutions on a global scale.
Expanding Global Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Accenture’s latest cybersecurity services aim to help clients safely adopt emerging technologies while addressing evolving threats. These services, which Accenture also uses to protect its own operations, include Secure AI Solutions, Deepfake Protection, Business Cyber Crisis Recovery, and a Quantum Security Suite. By utilizing these comprehensive solutions, organizations can establish a robust cybersecurity framework that is resilient and adaptive to new challenges. Secure AI Solutions establish resilience throughout the AI program lifecycle. They incorporate best practices for frameworks, policies, and processes ensuring secure AI practices. These solutions assess and protect access, data, models, and infrastructure, instilling trust-by-design in AI systems. Also, red-teaming and adversarial simulations identify vulnerabilities in AI systems, including LLMs. Furthermore, a Gen AI Security Diagnostic secures unauthorized AI deployments, ensuring AI systems remain secure and trustworthy.
Deepfake Protection services, another key offering, include security testing, monitoring, and deepfake detection, utilizing technologies from partners like Reality Defender. These services aim to stay ahead of evolving AI threats impacting customer centers and video conferences. By proactively addressing deepfake threats, organizations can maintain communication integrity and defend against malicious AI-generated content.
