en.Wedoany.com Reported - Accenture has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Dragos and fully acquire runZero and NetRise through an investment of approximately $4.2 billion, aiming to strengthen its position in the operational technology (OT) cybersecurity field.
The acquisitions are expected to close in August or September 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Accenture's move aims to provide an integrated security platform for critical infrastructure and industrial operations, including power grids, pipelines, manufacturing, distribution facilities, and data centers. The core strategy is to integrate Dragos' OT threat detection capabilities with network visibility and firmware analysis functions provided by runZero and NetRise into a unified platform.
Accenture stated that the Dragos platform will be expanded to support larger and more diverse operational technology environments, including those with internet connectivity and cloud-integrated systems. This integration process will leverage industrial datasets, drawing on Accenture's experience in critical infrastructure and the expertise of the three acquired companies. Industrial operators will gain a single interface for asset visibility, exposure assessment, threat detection, and incident response across complex xOT networks.
Accenture attributes the rationale for this transaction to the evolving risks in the so-called "xOT" field. This field encompasses traditional industrial systems, the Internet of Things, new sensors, and cloud-connected devices, where connectivity is increasing, alongside the deepening integration of artificial intelligence in industrial workflows and adversary activities. According to the company, as these trends accelerate, threats to OT networks have become a higher priority for governments and businesses. Cybersecurity budgets have historically focused on IT rather than OT environments.
Dragos, headquartered in Hanover, Maryland, with 580 employees, will continue to operate as an independent business under its existing leadership team. runZero and NetRise, both based in Austin, Texas, have 66 and 57 employees, respectively. Executives from these two companies will join Dragos' leadership structure after the transaction closes. It is estimated that as of June 2026, Dragos, runZero, and NetRise will collectively generate approximately $208 million in annual recurring revenue, a year-over-year increase of 53%.
Accenture reported that these transactions will initially dilute earnings but are expected to be accretive to earnings per share and free cash flow over the long term. The company's expanded capabilities will allow it to move beyond the current $70 billion OT cybersecurity services market into the OT cybersecurity software sector. This software market is estimated at $27 billion in 2026 and is expected to approach $59 billion by 2031. Accenture has previously made a series of OT cybersecurity investments, including the acquisition of Cimation in 2015, Revolutionary Security in 2020, and companies such as Callisto, Electro 80, True North Solutions, and SYSTEMA.
Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, said: "In an era of rapidly evolving AI-driven cyber threats and geopolitical risks, our cybersecurity business is achieving double-digit growth and has a strong track record of leveraging inorganic opportunities to drive organic growth. Clients across industries and geographies are asking how to be more proactive and integrated in their cybersecurity approach. The addition of Dragos, complemented by runZero and NetRise, addresses this important need. We believe Dragos' differentiated OT platform will accelerate our growth in the critical infrastructure and industrial operations markets, creating long-term shareholder value through the large-scale adoption of advanced cybersecurity capabilities."
In a separate announcement, Accenture reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Revenue for the quarter was $18.7 billion, an increase of $1 billion compared to the same period in fiscal 2025, with a 6% increase in U.S. dollars and a 3% increase in local currency year-over-year. Net income for the third quarter was $2.39 billion, up from $2.24 billion in the prior year. The company reported an operating margin of 17.0%, an increase of 20 basis points. Diluted earnings per share increased 9% to $3.80. Quarterly free cash flow was $3.6 billion. New bookings reached $19.3 billion, slightly below the $19.7 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
Accenture expects full-year fiscal 2026 local currency revenue growth of 3% to 4%, down from its previous estimate of 3% to 5%. The company primarily attributes this revised outlook to the impact of the West Asia crisis on its consulting business. Excluding a drag of approximately 1% from its U.S. federal business, the company's fiscal 2026 local currency growth target is 4% to 5%. Full-year GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be between $13.38 and $13.50, with adjusted earnings per share forecast between $13.78 and $13.90. Free cash flow is expected to be between $10.8 billion and $11.5 billion.
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