Companies expand their strategic collaboration to modernize SOCs, protect data with AI, and consolidate security environments in the cloud
Generative AI is quickly transforming both cybersecurity services and threats. In this context, Accenture and Microsoft have announced the expansion of their global partnership to offer advanced AI-based cybersecurity solutions aimed at helping organizations face the new landscape of AI-enhanced digital threats.
According to Accenture’s “State of Cyber Resilience 2025” report, 90% of organizations are unprepared to defend against AI-enhanced cyber threats. This new phase of collaboration specifically seeks to close that gap by combining Accenture’s cybersecurity, consulting, and industry expertise with Microsoft’s advanced security technologies.
Four Pillars of Modern Cyber Defense
The new solutions focus on four key areas:
1. SOC Modernization:
Using tools like Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Security Copilot, along with Accenture’s Adaptive MxDR, companies can detect threats more quickly, reduce alert noise, and optimize limited security team resources. These solutions are estimated to increase SOC efficiency by up to 30%.
2. Automated Data Protection and AI Security:
With Microsoft Purview and Accenture’s data security framework, sensitive information in Microsoft 365 is automatically protected, ensuring compliance, minimizing risks with generative AI use cases, and enabling secure large-scale collaboration.
3. Cloud-Centric Security Migration and Consolidation:
Through Microsoft 365 E5 Security and Accenture’s “E5 Acceleration Playbook,” organizations can migrate and consolidate legacy security platforms, reduce vendor complexity, and save between 35% and 50% on costs while maximizing Microsoft’s capabilities.
4. Enhanced Identity and Access Management (IAM):
Using Microsoft Entra suite and Accenture solutions, environments like Active Directory are modernized to enable passwordless authentication, simplified identity governance, and improved enterprise-level access control.
A Success Story: Nationwide Building Society
One of the first examples of this collaboration is Nationwide Building Society, the UK’s largest mortgage lender. With support from Accenture and Microsoft, the institution completed a massive migration to Microsoft Sentinel, integrating generative AI capabilities to accelerate the transfer of hundreds of terabytes of data. The result was a unified, efficient security infrastructure capable of detecting threats faster and freeing resources for other improvements.
“In a dynamic and complex threat environment, we needed to strengthen our cybersecurity operations. Accenture’s involvement in the migration was key to our success,” explained David Boda, Security and Resilience Leader at Nationwide.
Cybersecurity as a Team Sport
Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice president of Microsoft Security, emphasized the importance of a simplified, comprehensive security approach: “Cybersecurity needs to be a joint effort. Together, Microsoft and Accenture are empowering clients with AI-driven solutions that provide end-to-end protection, whether on-premises or in the cloud.”
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company specializing in digital transformation, cloud, AI, and cybersecurity. With over 791,000 employees in more than 120 countries, it collaborates with top organizations worldwide to create tangible value at scale.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is a global technology leader offering platforms and solutions that integrate AI to enhance productivity, security, and innovation. Its mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.