Acquisitions Signal Accenture's Bold Bet on Cybersecurity

Accenture is making sweeping moves to strengthen its US$10bn cybersecurity business through a number of strategic acquisitions. 

Expanding its operational technology (OT) cyber capabilities, the professional services giant has acquired a majority stake in Dragos and the full acquisition of runZero and NetRise. 

The move is intended to help organisations protect critical infrastructure from growing AI-driven cyber threats and geopolitical risks.

By bringing together OT threat detection, asset intelligence and software supply chain security into a single platform, the combined offering is designed to secure power grids, pipelines, manufacturing facilities, distribution centres and data centres while providing organisations with greater visibility across OT environments.

"In an age when AI-driven cyber threats and geopolitical risk are evolving at a rapid pace, our cybersecurity practice is growing by double-digits and has a strong track record of leveraging inorganic opportunity to fuel organic growth,” says Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture. 

"Our clients across industries and regions are asking us how to be more proactive and integrated in their approach to cybersecurity. 

"The addition of Dragos, complemented by runZero and NetRise, fills this important need. We are confident Dragos’ differentiated OT platform will accelerate our growth in the critical infrastructure and industrial operations markets, driving long-term shareholder value through scaled adoption of advanced cybersecurity capabilities."

Unified platform enhances OT cybersecurity

The acquisitions come as OT environments become increasingly connected through industrial control systems, IoT devices, cloud-connected equipment and traditional IT infrastructure. 

Dragos' OT threat detection platform will be enhanced with runZero's exposure assessment and attack surface intelligence, alongside NetRise's firmware visibility and software supply chain security capabilities. 

Together, the platform will help organisations identify connected assets, detect threats faster and improve incident response through a single interface.

Dragos to lead independent business under Accenture

Following completion of the deal, Dragos will continue operating as an independent business under Co-Founder and CEO Robert M. Lee.

The leadership teams from runZero and NetRise will also join Dragos, supporting the company's global expansion while maintaining its vendor-neutral approach for customers operating complex multi-vendor environments.

Robert M. Lee, Co-founder and CEO of Dragos, says: "Our energy and water systems, manufacturing plants, data centres and other operational environments need cybersecurity built from the ground up for xOT and designed to keep pace as threats evolve.

"The consequences of getting it wrong become societal threats. Organisations need solutions, not a patchwork of software and services. 

"The addition of runZero and NetRise will allow the Dragos Platform to be a unique end-to-end platform for global defence, and Accenture will bring its decades of trusted relationships and deep expertise to help us scale and secure more critical infrastructure and physical operations globally."

Long-term cybersecurity growth

The acquisitions continue Accenture's long-term investment in OT cybersecurity. Since 2016, the company has grown its cybersecurity business from US$700m to US$10bn in annual revenue. 

Together, Dragos, runZero and NetRise are estimated to generate approximately US$208m in annual recurring revenue, with the combined transaction valued at around US$4.175bn. 

The deals are expected to close in August or September 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.