Accenture, Microsoft and Avanade expand strategic alliance to offer advanced cybersecurity solutions

Accenture (NYSE “ACN”), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”) and Avanade are collaborating through a multiyear, multimillion-dollar agreement to develop, integrate and bring to market enhanced cyberdefense solutions to help clients better detect, investigate and respond to cyberthreats. The collaboration extends the companies’ longstanding strategic relationship, which began in 2000.

“C-suite executives are facing a critical challenge in justifying huge cybersecurity investments that are failing to be as effective as envisioned,” said Kelly Bissell, managing director of Accenture Security. “The expanded collaboration brings together Accenture’s deep cybersecurity, industry and digital business transformation expertise, Microsoft’s innovative technology platforms and services as well as Avanade’s focus on digital innovation in the Microsoft ecosystem to address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges. Together, we will move the market forward and help clients more effectively manage and guard against the full spectrum of cybersecurity threats.”

According to the Accenture Security Index, more than 70 percent of organizations globally cannot identify and fully protect their corporate high-value assets. And the associated costs of cyberattacks are having a growing financial impact on businesses. In 2017, the average cost of cybercrime for each organization climbed to $11.7 million, a 23 percent increase from last year, according to a new study by Accenture and the Ponemon Institute.

“Our joint customers expect us to provide the best options in strategic planning, technology and execution to accelerate their secure digital transformation,” said Ann Johnson, Microsoft worldwide vice president, Enterprise and Cybersecurity. “By extending our longstanding strategic alliance, we bring together Microsoft’s extensive cybersecurity capabilities and services with Accenture’s managed security services and Avanade’s implementation expertise to ensure access to customized and comprehensive defenses, continuous monitoring and specialized cyberskills that protect enterprises throughout their journey.”

The cyberdefense offerings will be infused with joint threat intelligence and initially span three core areas:

• Managed security operations. Enhancing existing Accenture-managed security services with integration to the latest Microsoft security products and services to monitor, detect and quickly respond to security breaches in a comprehensive, agile manner — targeted for cloud, hybrid and on-premises systems.
• Incident response support. A joint, global and collaborative teaming approach leveraging tools and integrated processes to help clients return to normal operations after a significant security breach.
• Integrated threat hunting. Leverages the incident response experience of the three companies to actively locate breaches not previously known.

“In a world of persistent cyberthreats, it’s more critical than ever to have the right strategy and technology in a place to get secure — and stay secure,” said Chris Miller, chief technology innovation officer, Avanade. “Built on the strength of Accenture, Avanade and Microsoft, these new cybersecurity offerings will ensure that we are helping our joint clients defend against and address the most advanced threats, while empowering them to innovate forward and operate fully and confidently in a digital world.”

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With more than 411,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture Security helps organizations build resilience from the inside out, so they can confidently focus on innovation and growth. Leveraging its global network of cybersecurity labs, deep industry understanding across client value chains and services that span the security lifecycle, Accenture protects organizations’ valuable assets, end-to-end. With services that include strategy and risk management, cyber defense, digital identity, application security and managed security, Accenture enables businesses around the world to defend against known sophisticated threats, and the unknown. Follow us @AccentureSecure on Twitter or visit us at www.accenture.com/security.

About Avanade

Avanade is the leading provider of innovative digital and cloud services, business solutions and design-led experiences delivered through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem. Our professionals bring bold, fresh thinking combined with technology, business and industry expertise to help fuel transformation and growth for our clients and their customers. Avanade has 30,000 digitally connected people across 24 countries, bringing clients the best thinking through a collaborative culture that honors diversity and reflects the communities in which we operate. Majority owned by Accenture, Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at www.avanade.com. ​

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

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