Palo Alto Networks Inc. and Accenture plc today announced an expansion of their existing strategic alliance that sees the two companies combining some of their artificial intelligence technologies and services to help organization security embrace AI.

The expanded partnership will see new offerings that combine Palo Alto Networks’ Precision AI technology and Accenture’s secure generative AI services. Precision AI is a cybersecurity system that leverages machine learning, deep learning and generative AI to provide real-time protection against advanced threats.

The new offerings seek to address the challenges organizations face amid the rapid uptake of generative AI, including AI-generated cyberattacks as well as opportunities for transformation. With many companies jumping on the AI bandwagon, Palo Alto and Accenture argue that many struggle to scale AI effectively while mitigating risks.

Palo Alto Networks and Accenture are seeking to assist companies that are struggling to implement AI and do so safely. The end goal is to deliver a “secure AI future” through intentional design, deployment and use of AI that creates value while also being mindful of any cybersecurity risks.

“Generative AI is being adopted by companies across industries as the #1 lever for reinvention, but it’s also introducing new cybersecurity risks,” said Karthik Narain, group chief executive of technology at Accenture. “Accenture and Palo Alto Networks are helping clients confidently reinvent their businesses and navigate each phase of their AI journey, ensuring cybersecurity is prioritized right from the outset.”

Through the joint offering, Palo Alto Networks will offer “Secure AI by Design,” a secure AI ecosystem that prioritizes the integrity of AI security frameworks, improves security compliance and minimizes data exposure. Accenture will offer AI diagnostic services powered by Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma Cloud AI Security Posture Management and AI Access Security to secure clients’ AI estate with AI runtime security.

Features of the combined offering include the ability to secure generative AI builds by securing the data and AI framework lifecycle from ingesting, storing and processing data, model training and deployment leading to data analysis and visualization.

On the security side, discovery and exposure management are offered through Accenture’s AI Discovery and Exposure Management offering, powered by Palo Alto’s services. Proactive threat detection and prevention, powered by Precision AI and in combination with Accenture’s services, help clients identity and block AI-generated attacks, safeguard data with policy control and proactively address AI specific threats.

The combined services also come with a commitment to responsible AI practices. Palo Alto Networks and Accenture are committed to fostering ethical and responsible AI adoption by leveraging AI cybersecurity assessments as a foundation for security and responsible AI practices.

“With Accenture, we’re uniting Precision AI-powered solutions and services expertise, helping our joint customers use the best of AI to create value for their business today and in the future — with better real-time security outcomes,” said Palo Alto Chief Executive Nikesh Arora.

Photo: Palo Alto Networks/Instagram