CyberCX extends Australian Open security partnership into fourth year
Cybersecurity consultancy and services firm CyberCX has entered the fourth year of its partnership with the Australian Open – although it is the first since its $1 billion purchase by advisory giant Accenture.
The Australian Open’s first and official cybersecurity partner since 2023, CyberCX has extended its relationship with Tennis Australia for the 2026 event, helping to safeguard against data theft, privacy breaches, ticketing scams, financial fraud and disruption.
Stretched to three packed weeks with a range of preliminary events and already smashing attendance records during the first days of the main draw, the 2026 Australian open is expected to reach a global audience of over two billion people this year across channels.
“CyberCX’s mission is to secure our communities and nothing brings our communities together like sports,” commented CEO John Paitaridis. “The cyber risks to sporting codes, organisations and professional athletes are very real, and it’s more important than ever for business, government and sports bodies to work together to secure our multi-billion dollar sports industry.”
Paitaridis’ sentiments haven’t popped up out of the blue, with the firm previously cautioning of the increasingly ‘hazardous’ cyber threat facing the global and Australian sports events sector due to its high profile and profitability along with a number of additional factors, including the increased use of and reliance on online platforms for ticketing, operations, and fan engagement.
That latter point sets up an intriguing clash between two international titans, not Alcaraz and Sinner, but Accenture and Infosys, the latter which has been credited with helping to drive Australian Open numbers as the event’s long-running digital innovation partner, and more broadly that of the ATP. Notably, the firm also last year acquired local cybersecurity firm The Missing Link.
That $100 million deal preceded Accenture’s stunning $1 billion-plus purchase of CyberCX in October. Yet, unlike former top ten player Daria Kasatkina’s switch from Russia to Australia, CyberCX isn’t yet operating under a new banner for the 2026 tournament, with Accenture’s mammoth acquisition still awaiting approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board.
In the sports arena
Meanwhile, CyberCX and Accenture also both support leading organisations in a handful of other sports, including Accenture as the official consulting partner of the NFL and co-developer of Marvel Stadium’s augmented reality app, and CyberCX as security partner to the men’s and women’s national rugby union teams along with the Collingwood Football Club in the AFL.
“The Australian Open is built on strong partnerships, and CyberCX has become a trusted part of our team over the past four years,” said Tennis Australia’s chief commercial officer Cedric Cornelis, a one-time Bain & Company consultant. “Their support helps us deliver a seamless, world-class event for fans, players and partners, both at Melbourne Park and around the world.”
