Exclusive: Most companies aren't ready for AI-powered threats
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Technology and security leaders at major companies have unrealistic expectations for what their AI security plans should look like, a new survey from Accenture finds.
Why it matters: If companies aren't aware of the AI security threats they're up against, they're not going to be able to defend against them.
By the numbers: 36% of the 2,286 security and technology executives who Accenture surveyed said that AI is outpacing their security capabilities.
- Only one in five execs said they're confident in their ability to secure their generative AI models against cyber risks.
Yes, but: Accenture estimates that 90% of those companies lack the security standards they need to defend against present-day, AI-driven threats.
- Accenture surveyed executives who work at companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. The firm also analyzed each of the companies' security practices to determine their AI threat readiness.
The big picture: Fending off the emerging wave of AI security challenges will require companies to be proactive and adaptable.
- Security executives have already found they need to revise their AI-focused playbooks as often as every six weeks.
Between the lines: While leaders play catch-up on their AI security plans, companies are plowing ahead in adopting AI anywhere they can.
- 86% of executives said they are planning to increase their AI investments this year.
Yes, but: Protecting against most AI security problems doesn't require cyber pros to completely reinvent the wheel.
- Accenture recommends companies develop a security governance framework, which will help with concerns around data leaks and privacy.
- Companies should also invest in AI-driven cybersecurity tools to help automate specific processes and proactively defend against attacks.
Go deeper: Security teams embrace agentic AI
