Deepfake technology has gone from being a digital innovation to a serious security threat. What started as AI-generated videos of celebrities saying things they never actually said has turned into a powerful tool for fraud, misinformation, and identity theft. Deepfakes have become a major challenge because they use fake voices to deceive businesses and manipulated videos to spread false information which makes it difficult to distinguish reality from simulation. The rise of deepfake exploitation by cybercriminals requires organisations to take immediate action for protection.
The usage of deepfakes in criminal activities
1) The artificial intelligence technology behind deepfakes generates authentic audiovisual content and photographic images. The technological advancements brought by AI drive innovation across industries, yet this technology enables deceptive practices in worrying ways.
2) The criminal use of deepfake technology allows attackers to pretend as CEOs while duping employees into moving funds and revealing confidential data. A UK company suffered a £20 million loss in 2023 because scammers used AI technology to create a fake version of an executive’s voice (Europol, 2023).
3) The use of deepfake videos targeting politicians and public figures has become widespread for spreading false information while disrupting elections and controlling financial markets. Online systems detected over 500,000 fake videos in 2024 with the number doubling every 6 months according to MIT Technology Review (2024).
Artificial Intelligence can generate deepfake facial images that successfully evade security authentication systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) discovered through research in 2023 that deepfake images deceived facial recognition systems in 30% of attempts.
AI presents both the threat and the solution
While deepfake scams are on the rise, AI is also being used to fight back. Detection tools powered by AI are helping identify fake videos and voices, but technology is still catching up. Governments are stepping in too. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has made deepfake threats a priority in its latest Cyber Security Strategy. Meanwhile, the European Union is pushing for regulations to ensure AI-generated content is clearly marked.
How organisations can protect themselves
Deepfake threats go beyond hacking – they make it harder to trust what we see and hear. Businesses need to rethink their approach to security, focusing on verifying identities, detecting fraud, and preventing reputational damage.
Our team of experts can support you
At Goaco, we help organisations stay ahead of AI-driven cyber threats with –
1) Advanced threat detection – Using AI to spot anomalies in audio, video, and text-based communications.
2) Stronger identity verification – Protecting access with biometric authentication and multi-factor security layers.
3) Employee training – Helping teams recognise deepfake scams and adopt security best practices.
4) Incident response support – Investigating and mitigating AI-driven attacks in real time.
Deepfakes are a growing cyber security risk. Businesses need to act now to stay protected.
Is your organisation ready for AI-driven cyber threats? Speak to our experts at Goaco today.
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About Goaco
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