Deepfakes use AI to replicate a person's voice, image, or video, often in a way that appears startlingly real. While they might seem like harmless fun when used in celebrity impersonations or humorous videos, deepfakes are a growing cybersecurity concern for businesses. Hackers can now use deepfake technology to impersonate CEOs, CFOs, or other key figures in your organization, potentially leading to scams, data breaches, or financial losses.
How Do Deepfakes Affect Small Businesses?
While large corporations often have robust security systems, small businesses are more vulnerable to deepfake attacks due to fewer cybersecurity resources. Deepfakes can be used in spear-phishing attacks, where a hacker uses a deepfake of a CEO’s voice or image to trick an employee into transferring funds, sharing sensitive data, or making unauthorized purchases.
Actionable Steps to Protect Your Business from Deepfake Cyberattacks
To defend your business against deepfake-related threats, it's essential to incorporate several cybersecurity best practices. Here are the key steps to take:
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
One of the easiest ways to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts is by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA). This adds a layer of security that requires users to verify their identity through a secondary method, such as a verification code sent to their phone or email.
Why It's Important:
Deepfake technology can mimic voices and faces, but it can't bypass multi-factor authentication, which relies on something you physically have (like your smartphone) to verify your identity.
2. Train Your Employees on Social Engineering and Deepfake Awareness
Education is key. Ensure your team understands the risks associated with deepfakes and how they might be used in social engineering attacks. Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious communications, especially those that appear urgent or out of the ordinary.
Pro Tip:
Encourage employees to verify any unusual requests through a separate communication method (e.g., call the requester on a known phone number) before acting.
3. Create Secondary Verification Methods for Sensitive Requests
Implement a secondary verification process for sensitive requests such as wire transfers or password resets. This could include a secret passcode known only to relevant parties or a confirmation call to ensure the legitimacy of the request.
Why This Works:
Even if a deepfake is convincing, a secondary step like a personal confirmation can prevent a scam from being executed.
4. Secure Your Internal Communication Platforms
Ensure that your internal communication platforms (like email, Zoom, Teams, etc.) are secure and require strong passwords and MFA. This helps protect against account takeovers, where hackers could pose as an internal figure using a deepfake.
Recommended Tools:
Look into account takeover protection software that monitors for suspicious activity on communication platforms. This can detect unauthorized logins or attempts to compromise an account.
5. Use AI-Driven Detection Tools
As deepfake technology becomes more sophisticated, AI is also being developed to detect it. Many cybersecurity companies are offering tools that can analyze videos and voice recordings for signs of manipulation.
Take Action:
Consider implementing an AI-based detection system that can analyze incoming communications for signs of deepfake tampering.
6. Slow Down and Verify Any Urgent Requests
Cybercriminals often use urgency to trick victims into taking immediate action without thinking it through. Train your team to take a step back and verify any urgent requests, especially those involving financial transactions or sensitive information.
Key Tip:
If the request seems unusual or urgent, it's worth taking a moment to verify it before taking action. Slowing down can prevent costly mistakes.
What Does the Future Hold for Deepfake Detection?
While deepfakes are a growing threat, cybersecurity solutions are evolving to counter them. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta are working on integrating AI into their platforms to detect deepfake attempts before they reach users. In the meantime, the most effective strategy for small businesses is to maintain a layered cybersecurity approach, including employee training, MFA, and strong internal controls.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to deepfake-based cyberattacks. For more in-depth discussion and insights, don’t miss our full Stimulus Tech Talk episode, where we delve into how deepfakes are being used and the future of cybersecurity.
Listen now and take your cybersecurity to the next level! Stimulus Tech Talk is also available on YouTube.