Australian organisations not adequately prepared to secure AI-driven future

A new report from Accenture reveals that a staggering 97% of Australian organisations are not adequately prepared to secure their AI-driven future. The “State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025” report also reveals a widespread cybersecurity immaturity across regions, highlighting a critical gap between ambition and readiness.

The research reveals that the rapid AI adoption has dramatically accelerated the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats, far outpacing current enterprise cyber defenses. For example, four fifths (80%) of Australian organisations lack the essential data and AI security practices needed to protect critical business models, data pipelines and cloud infrastructure.

Despite the rapid growth of AI enterprise adoption, only 16% of Australian organisations have implemented clear policies and training for gen AI use. Furthermore, very few maintain a comprehensive inventory of AI systems, which is crucial for managing supply chain risks. Data protection also remains inadequate, with only 22% of organisations fully leveraging encryption methods and access controls to protect sensitive information.

The report identifies three distinct security maturity zones:

• Reinvention Ready Zone: (3%) of Australian organisations with an adaptive, resilient security posture that continuously evolves to counter emerging threats.
• Progressing Zone: (11%) of organisations showing strength but struggling with strategic direction or implementing defenses.
• Exposed Zone: (86%) of organisations with limited cyber readiness and a reactive posture to threats, exacerbated by the complex AI environment and global risk factors.

Four critical actions necessary to reach the “Reinvention Ready Zone”:

1. Develop and deploy a fit-for-purpose security governance framework that aligns AI security with regulatory and business objectives.
2. Design a digital core to be generative AI secure from the outset by embedding security into AI development, deployment, and operational processes.
3. Maintain resilient AI systems with secure foundations that proactively address emerging threats, enhance detection capabilities, and improve response mechanisms.
4. Reinvent cybersecurity with generative AI by leveraging it to automate security processes, strengthen defenses, and detect threats sooner.

Mary Attard, Security Lead, Accenture ANZ: “Rising geopolitical tensions, economic volatility and increasingly complex operational environments are leaving organisations more exposed to cyber risks. This report serves as a wake-up call that cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought. It must be embedded by design into every AI-driven initiative. Taking this proactive approach will help ensure a competitive edge, strengthen customer loyalty and turn cybersecurity into a business enabler.”

“The rapid advancement of gen AI represents a profound paradigm shift in cybersecurity, bringing unique challenges and opportunities. By designing AI systems with security at their core and continuously monitoring and updating them, organisations can stay ahead of the most critical threats. Business resilience requires readiness, rapid response to disruptive forces and confidence in your organisation’s ability to act effectively.”