Deepfake AI Scams: Is Your Business Protected?

We talk a lot about cyber scams and the rapid rate at which they have increased over the years. However, a growing way scammers are targeting businesses is through AI and deepfakes.

AI brings many opportunities and can help businesses with everything from automation to improving productivity. However, it has also given cyber criminals the ability to create convincing fake videos, images and voice recordings to impersonate real people.

This is no longer a ‘what if’ scenario. Businesses need to put protections in place now to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a deepfake scam.

What Do Deepfake AI Scams Involve?

Deepfake scammers use artificial intelligence to mimic someone’s voice or appearance. Cyber criminals can now create fake phone calls and voice notes that sound like employees, business owners, senior managers or suppliers. They can even impersonate individuals during video meetings.

They often do this using publicly available content from social media, company websites, videos, podcasts and interviews.

Deepfake scams may be used to:

• Make urgent requests for personal information, such as passwords or bank details.
• Gain access to sensitive business systems.
• Impersonate an employee or supplier to request changes to payment details.
• Obtain or exploit compromised login details.
• Persuade employees to share confidential or sensitive information.
• Convince employees to make payments or transfer funds.

Why Businesses Are at Risk

Businesses are increasingly at risk as criminals find new ways to exploit remote working and online communication tools, making it more difficult for employees to identify genuine requests.

Video calls are now standard practice for many businesses, creating another opportunity for cyber criminals to impersonate individuals. Businesses also have a much greater online presence, often sharing information about their teams through websites, social media, video interviews and podcasts.

Cyber criminals can use this publicly available content alongside increasingly accessible AI tools to replicate someone’s voice or appearance.

With the help of these new technologies, deepfake AI scams can now be carried out on a much larger scale.

How to Protect Your Business

While the growing sophistication of deepfake scams can be concerning, there are practical steps businesses can take to reduce the risk.

By investing in cyber security technology, introducing clear processes and providing employees with regular awareness training, you can put your business in a much stronger position.

Other steps include:

• Verify payment requests: Always confirm payment requests or changes to banking details using a second method of communication, particularly if the request is unexpected or urgent.
• Train your employees: Provide regular cyber security training to help employees understand the risks, recognise warning signs and know what to do if they are unsure about a request.
• Use multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of protection to accounts and systems by using multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Consider what you share publicly: Think carefully about the information, videos and audio content you make publicly available. Could this information be used by someone attempting to impersonate you or a member of your team?
• Invest in cyber security support: Deepfake AI scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and scalable. Having experienced cyber security professionals supporting your business can help you identify vulnerabilities and strengthen your defences.

The Future of Deepfake AI Scams

Deepfake technology has received increasing attention as concerns grow about its potential use in fraud and cyber attacks. As these tools continue to develop, attacks are likely to become increasingly sophisticated.

Businesses can no longer assume that seeing or hearing someone online confirms they are who they claim to be.

With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, strong cyber security practices, employee awareness and clear identity verification processes are becoming increasingly important for every organisation.

How We Can Help

Cyber attacks can happen quickly, which is why having the right protection and support in place is so important.

Our team of IT experts works closely with clients to strengthen their cyber security through email protection, managed security services, multi-factor authentication, cyber security training and continuous monitoring.

If an incident does happen, acting quickly can make a significant difference. Having experienced IT specialists on hand means threats can be identified, contained and dealt with as quickly as possible.

Whether you have questions about your current cyber security arrangements or need urgent IT support, get in touch with our team today.