Chief Information Security Officer

The mid-market security
scale trap​

Authors: Jason Lewkowicz, Amit Vasudeva, Deepak Mathur,
Yusof SeedatResearch lead: Yusof Seedat, Manav Saxena
Published: August 2026

Mid-market companies increasingly face enterprise-level cyber
threats without enterprise-level security resources. Accenture
research across more than 1,600 mid-market organizations
in 17 countries finds only 28% embed cybersecurity into
transformation from the outset, while nine in 10 struggle to
recover effectively from attacks. Adding more tools and
providers can compound the problem, creating “security debt”
as complexity outpaces the ability to coordinate defenses. The
research argues for a different model: leaders should retain
ownership of critical risk decisions, orchestrate security
capabilities as one system and use external providers for scale
without surrendering accountability. Ultimately, resilience
depends as much on recovery as prevention.

The report calls for a decisive shift from reactive cyber defense to proactive national resilience, built on four imperatives: secure AI as critical infrastructure, treat quantum risk as a strategic horizon, mobilize whole-of-nation cyber resilience, and strengthen governance and standards.

Read full report

The mid-market security
scale trap

How to avoid fragmented defenses that leave mid-market companies exposed to enterprise-level threats ...

more

Read Report

Reinventing the cyber workforce
Three moves to address the cybersecurity talent gap​

Authors: Harpreet Sidhu, Vikram Desai, Christian Weiss, Mariana Perez, Yusof Seedat
Research lead: Yusof Seedat
Published: June 2026

Cybersecurity is a critical enabler of enterprise resilience, regulatory accountability and digital growth. Yet the cybersecurity workforce designed to protect the business is misaligned with the demands it faces. Fifty-nine percent of open roles now require a hybrid blend of technical depth, business acumen and strategic leadership, which includes soft skills like problem-solving, communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Only 40% of professionals, however, currently hold such roles. This highlights a capability imbalance that hiring alone will not correct. Cyber and talent leaders must address this gap holistically to make cybersecurity a sustaining force that helps the business thrive through change.

Read full report

Reinventing the cyber workforce

Cybersecurity is a critical enabler of enterprise resilience, regulatory accountability and digital growth. Yet the cybersecurity workforce designed...

more

Read Report

Redefining cyber
resilience

Authors: Harpreet Sidhu, Jason Lewkowicz, Charles Hosner, Yusof Seedat
Published: June 2026

Cyber disruption is now a recurring reality: 87% of organizations recognize it as such, while 72% say preventing every incident is no longer realistic. Yet many still confuse resilience with protection, compliance or incident response, and CEOs are 136% more likely than chief Information security officers to believe compliance ensures resilience. To close this gap, leaders must define cyber resilience as sustaining and rapidly restoring operations during disruption. That means identifying vital functions, mapping dependencies, predefining recovery decisions, building trusted recovery environments, automating reconstitution and testing continuously. Organizations that embed recovery into strategy can reduce disruption costs, improve performance and protect business value.

Read full report

Redefining cyber
resilience

CEOs and CISOs are split on resilience. Closing that gap is how they survive disruption. ...

more

Read Report

State of cybersecurity resilience 2025

Authors: Paolo Dal Cin, Daniel Kendzior, Yusof Seedat
Research lead: Yusof Seedat, Manav Saxena
Published: June 2025

AI is outpacing cybersecurity. Accenture finds that while 86% of
leaders plan to expand AI investments, only 20% feel confident
in securing their AI models. Meanwhile, 90% of organizations
lack the maturity to defend against AI-driven threats. To close
this gap, the report introduces the Reinvention-Ready Zone—
a benchmark for resilient security strategy and capability.
Companies that reach it are 69% less likely to suffer advanced
cyberattacks. Four actions can accelerate this shift: embed
AI-secure governance, build resilient AI systems, maintain
continuous threat readiness and reinvent cybersecurity using
gen AI to boost speed, scale and defensive strength.

Read full report

State of cybersecurity resilience 2025

AI is outpacing cybersecurity. Accenture finds that while 86% of leaders plan to expand AI investments, only 20% feel confident in securing their AI models...

more

Read Report

Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026

Authors: Yusof Seedat, Shachi Jain, Toms Bernhards Callahan
Published: January 2026

The World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, written in collaboration with Accenture, examines the cybersecurity trends that will affect economies and societies in the year to come. The report explores how accelerating AI adoption, geopolitical fragmentation and widening cyber inequity are reshaping the global risk landscape. As attacks grow faster, more complex and more unevenly distributed, organizations and governments face rising pressure to adapt amid persistent sovereignty challenges and widening capability gaps. Drawing on leaders’ perspectives, the report provides actionable insights to inform strategy, investment and policy.

Read full report

Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026

The World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, written in collaboration with Accenture, examines the cybersecurity trends that will affect...

more

Read Report

Three essentials for agentic AI security

Publisher: MIT Sloan Management Review
Authors: Paolo Dal Cin, Daniel Kendzior, Yusof Seedat, Renato Marinho
Published: June 2025

The article presents a three-phase framework to secure autonomous AI systems. Phase one involves threat modeling and mapping to identify vulnerabilities, especially data poisoning and prompt injection. Phase two includes stress- testing through adversarial simulations like red-teaming exercises to expose and mitigate threats. Phase three enforces real-time safeguards, such as enhancing guardrails, validating inputs and controlling access. A Brazilian healthcare company’s example illustrated the importance of secure data access, governance protocols and continuous monitoring. This framework is crucial for organizations scaling AI agents while ensuring robust security and trust.

Read full report

Three essentials for agentic AI security

The article presents a three-phase framework to secure autonomous AI systems. Phase one involves threat modeling and mapping...

more

Read Report

2025 CISO benchmark report
Securing the digital foundation for reinvention​

Authors: Piyush Jain, Yusof Seedat, Kristen Dalton
Research lead: Arlene Lehman
Published: April 2025

As retail and hospitality companies accelerate digital reinvention, cybersecurity struggles to keep pace. Joint research from Accenture and Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RH-ISAC) reveals that companies with strong security capabilities enjoy 60% higher revenue growth and 2.5x lower technical debt. Yet, 82% of firms lack security maturity in their digital core, widening exposure to AI-fueled threats. Budget constraints and competing priorities remain the top barriers. The report urges CISOs to close maturity gaps, embed zero trust and elevate cybersecurity to a strategic board-level priority. In this environment, securing the digital core isn’t defensive—it’s foundational to long-term resilience and performance.

Read full report

2025 CISO benchmark report

As retail and hospitality companies accelerate digital reinvention, cybersecurity struggles to keep pace. Joint research from Accenture and Retail ...

more

Read Report

C-Suite Playbook: From Software-Defined Vehicles to Strategic Differentiation

Authors: Christof Horn, Juergen Reers
Research lead: Belen Rubio
Published: March 2026

Cars are becoming computers on wheels, and that shifts the industry’s battleground from horsepower to software. Yet for many carmakers, the prize remains elusive: unclear returns, fragmented architectures and hardware-led habits still slow progress. This playbook, a collaborative effort by the World Economic Forum and Accenture, argues that leaders must simplify the stack, industrialize software development and reorganize around cross-functional ownership if they want software-defined vehicles to pay off. The gains could be material: open-source foundations could cut lifecycle operating costs by 25%, virtual validation can reduce hardware costs by up to 30% and cross-functional teams can speed time-to-market by 20%.

Read full report

C-Suite Playbook: From Software-Defined Vehicles to Strategic Differentiation

Cars are becoming computers on wheels, and that shifts the industry’s battleground from horsepower...

more

Read Report

Reinventing with a digital core - Chapter 1

Authors: Paul Daugherty, Koenraad Schelfaut, David Wood, Prashant P. Shukla, Jim Wilson
Research lead: Shachi Jain
Published: July 2024

To thrive amid change and capture the potential value of generative AI (and the next disruptive technologies), companies need a digital core that is reinvention ready. Our research has identified three tenets for companies to achieve it:

1. Build an industry-leading digital core tailored specifically to your industry and company.
2. Boost investments in strategic innovation, including re-engineering systems for machine (AI) operations.
3. Balance growing technical debt with appropriate investments,
using programmatic and autonomous methods.

Compared to the sample baseline, leading companies which did all three experienced a 60% acceleration in their revenue growth rate while increasing profitability by 40%. We call this the 60:40 effect.

Read full report

Reinventing with a digital core - Chapter 1

To thrive amid change and capture the potential value of generative AI (and the next disruptive...

more

Read Report

Reinventing with a digital core

Authors: Karthik Narain, Lan Guan, Ram Ramalingam, Koenraad Schelfaut, David Wood, Surya Mukherjee
Research lead: Surya Mukherjee
Published: November 2024

Thriving requires reinvention, with the digital core at the heart
of this transformation. It connects data, processes and
technology, enabling businesses to adapt, learn and innovate.
Built with engineering principles “Architect for Intent,”
“Connect the Dots” and “Thrive with Ecosystems,” it evolves
with change, staying smart, efficient and free from rigid
systems. The report outlines actionable strategies to achieve
this transformation: adopting AI-first architectures, integrating
systems for real-time analytics and partnering with ecosystems
to access cutting-edge innovations.

Read full report

Reinventing with a digital core

Thriving requires reinvention, with the digital core at the heart
of this transformation. It connects data, processes and
technology...

more

Read Report

Managing cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence​

Publisher: Ivey Business Journal
Authors: Paolo Dal Cin, Valerie Abend, Daniel Kendzio, Yusof Seedat
Published: August/September 2024

The article explores the dual nature of gen AI: while it boosts productivity—92% of companies expect productivity gains of over 11% in the next three years—it also introduces serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities. These include insecure AI deployments, increased accessibility for malicious actors and uncontrolled employee experimentation, enabling sophisticated threats such as deepfakes and advanced phishing. To address these risks, this article highlights a three-pronged approach: modernizing security setups, heightening employee awareness and building a trusted technology foundation. By implementing these strategies, businesses can harness the power of gen AI while safeguarding against emerging cyber threats, ensuring that the technology’s benefits far outweigh its risks.

Read full report

Managing cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence

The article explores the dual nature of gen AI: while it boosts productivity—92% of companies expect productivity gains of over 11% in the next...

more

Read Report

Securing the digital core in the gen AI era
Cybersecurity as a strategic enabler of reinvention

Authors: Paolo Dal Cin, Rex Thexton, Andrew Winkelmann, Yusof Seedat
Research lead: Yusof Seedat, Manav Saxena
Published: November 2024

Securing the digital core is vital as it forms the foundation of an enterprise’s transformation, integrating platforms, AI and data. Neglecting security opens vulnerabilities, hindering agility and resilience. This report illustrates how enterprises can embed robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard innovation, build trust and ensure sustained growth in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Read full report

Securing the digital core in the gen AI era

Securing the digital core is vital as it forms the foundation of an enterprise’s transformation, integrating platforms...

more

Read Report

Guardians of trust: Navigating cybersecurity in banking

Authors: Valerie Abend
Research lead: Yusof Seedat
Published: March 2025

There’s a critical gap between banks’ cybersecurity investments and consumer trust. Despite a 140% increase in cybersecurity spending by banks over two years, 58% of banking customers remain concerned about data security and potential hacks when banks offer personalized services. This scepticism extends beyond individual banks to include third-party vendors and the broader banking ecosystem. In this report we distilled three critical actions to enable banks to close the trust gap.

Read full report

Guardians of trust: Navigating cybersecurity in banking

There’s a critical gap between banks’ cybersecurity investments...

more

Read Report

Intelligent Industrial Operations Outlook 2026

Authors: Christian Souche, Swati Daphal, Simran Dharmapuram, Amol Ghuge, Jérome Mulin, Pooja Vaidya
Published: April 2026

Industrial operations are crossing a historic threshold into the intelligent age, reshaped by advanced analytics, AI, digital twins and hyperconnected systems. The World Economic Forum's "Intelligent Industrial Operations Outlook 2026," developed with Accenture, highlights a new operational paradigm where systems continuously learn, anticipate change and coordinate autonomously across factories, enterprises and global value networks.

This transformation is driven by eight strategic imperatives, including resilient and circular operations, predictive and collaborative risk management and intelligent ecosystems that optimize real-time decisions. Leaders are urged to prioritize governance for AI-driven decisions, embed cybersecurity by design and enable effective human–machine collaboration to navigate this shift successfully.

Read full report

Intelligent Industrial Operations Outlook 2026

Industrial operations are crossing a historic threshold into the intelligent age, reshaped by advanced analytics, AI, digital twins and hyperconnected systems....

more

Read Report

Securing Nations in the Intelligent Economy:
Turning AI and Quantum Disruption into Strategic Advantage

Authors: Yasmine Rifai, Alvaro Vitta, Ahmed Etman, Radwane Saad, Amr Mansour, Hassan Saeed
Research lead: Yusof Seedat, Manav Saxena
Published: February 2026

This report argues that AI and quantum computing have turned cybersecurity into a core determinant of national power, economic stability, and sovereignty. Our research shows cyber incidents now trigger macroeconomic shocks, while AI simultaneously strengthens defenses and accelerates attacks through deepfakes, automation, and machine-speed intrusion. Quantum computing magnifies the risk, threatening to break today’s cryptography and expose decades of sensitive data.

The report calls for a decisive shift from reactive cyber defense to proactive national resilience, built on four imperatives: secure AI as critical infrastructure, treat quantum risk as a strategic horizon, mobilize whole-of-nation cyber resilience, and strengthen governance and standards.

Read full report

Securing Nations in the Intelligent Economy

This report argues that AI and quantum computing have turned cybersecurity into a core determinant of national power, economic stability, and sovereignty...

more

Read Report

Cybersecurity in aviation: Mitigating risk, maximizing growth

Authors: Ahmed Etman, Dr. Radwane Saad, Yusof Seedat, Manav Saxena
Research lead: Yusof Seedat
Published: July 2025

As retail and hospitality companies accelerate digital reinvention, cybersecurity struggles to keep pace. Joint research from Accenture and Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RH-ISAC) reveals that companies with strong security capabilities enjoy 60% higher revenue growth and 2.5x lower technical debt. Yet, 82% of firms lack security maturity in their digital core, widening exposure to AI-fueled threats. Budget constraints and competing priorities remain the top barriers. The report urges CISOs to close maturity gaps, embed zero trust and elevate cybersecurity to a strategic board-level priority. In this environment, securing the digital core isn’t defensive—it’s foundational to long-term resilience and performance.

Read full report

Cybersecurity in aviation: Mitigating risk, maximizing growth

As retail and hospitality companies accelerate digital reinvention, cybersecurity struggles to keep pace. Joint research...

more

Read Report

Guardians of trust: Navigating cybersecurity in banking

Authors: Valerie Abend
Research lead: Yusof Seedat
Published: March 2025

There’s a critical gap between banks’ cybersecurity investments and consumer trust. Despite a 140% increase in cybersecurity spending by banks over two years, 58% of banking customers remain concerned about data security and potential hacks when banks offer personalized services. This scepticism extends beyond individual banks to include third-party vendors and the broader banking ecosystem. In this report we distilled three critical actions to enable banks to close the trust gap.

Read full report

Guardians of trust: Navigating cybersecurity in banking

There’s a critical gap between banks’ cybersecurity investments...

more

Read Report

Cybersecurity in aviation: Mitigating risk, maximizing growth

Authors: Ahmed Etman, Dr. Radwane Saad, Yusof Seedat, Manav Saxena
Research lead: Yusof Seedat
Published: July 2025

As retail and hospitality companies accelerate digital reinvention, cybersecurity struggles to keep pace. Joint research from Accenture and Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RH-ISAC) reveals that companies with strong security capabilities enjoy 60% higher revenue growth and 2.5x lower technical debt. Yet, 82% of firms lack security maturity in their digital core, widening exposure to AI-fueled threats. Budget constraints and competing priorities remain the top barriers. The report urges CISOs to close maturity gaps, embed zero trust and elevate cybersecurity to a strategic board-level priority. In this environment, securing the digital core isn’t defensive—it’s foundational to long-term resilience and performance.

Read full report

Cybersecurity in aviation: Mitigating risk, maximizing growth

As retail and hospitality companies accelerate digital reinvention, cybersecurity struggles to keep pace. Joint research...

more

Read Report