#USA #Austin #GetReal Security #AI-driven attacks #deepfake threats

In a groundbreaking report released by GetReal Security, a prominent player in the cybersecurity domain, alarming statistics about the prevalence of fraudulent candidates in the hiring process were unveiled. The recent Deepfake Readiness Benchmark Report indicates that an astonishing 41% of surveyed enterprises have admitted to hiring and onboarding candidates who turned out to be frauds. This revelation underscores a rapidly escalating threat landscape where AI-generated deception is not just a fringe concern but an everyday challenge. The report, which captures insights from IT and cybersecurity leaders across various industries, indicates that nearly 88% of organizations encounter instances of deepfake impersonation attacks at least occasionally. Furthermore, for almost half of the respondents, these impersonation attacks have become a frequent worry. The accelerated frequency of such attacks aligns with predictions made by Gartner, which suggested that by 2028, 1 in 4 candidate profiles could be considered fraudulent.

The findings reflect a stark reality faced by enterprises today. With the sophistication of deepfake technology reaching unprecedented levels, the challenges surrounding identity verification have shifted substantially. Matt Moynahan, CEO of GetReal Security, emphasized the transaction nature of trust in a remote work environment, stating that over 80% of survey respondents rely heavily on phone and video communication for identity confirmation. However, the advent of AI tools that can seamlessly replicate a person's likeness in just minutes raises serious doubts about the reliability of these conventional checks.

The report identifies critical areas of concern, with phishing, video impersonation, and synthetic identity fraud among the highest on the radar of cybersecurity leaders. Remarkably, despite the alarming statistics surrounding hired fraudsters, only 35% of survey respondents consider false candidate profiles to be a significant risk, demonstrating a disconnect between awareness and actionable concern.

While many leaders acknowledge the subtleties of the threat landscape, a lack of clarity on identifying and mitigating risks remains prevalent. The majority of organizations are aware that identity integrity is crucial but need to catch up in strategic planning. Only 52% of businesses are actively re-evaluating their identity and access management strategies in light of AI-driven threats. Furthermore, deepfake-resistant verification technology has not yet made it to the list of priorities for modernization efforts in most enterprises.

Credential theft remains a leading cause of security breaches, and static verification methods are no longer sufficient. With the landscape evolving dynamically, organizations must adopt continuous digital identity defensive measures, relying on real-time visibility into potential identity threats and ensuring prompt policy enforcement.

GetReal Security’s report serves as a call to action for enterprises to revamp their security frameworks to address the challenges presented by AI-driven identity manipulations. Understanding that the threats posed by such technologies are becoming mainstream, businesses must now prioritize advancements in identity verification processes to restore trust and prevent fraud effectively. Ultimately, conducting thorough due diligence in hiring practices and integrating advanced digital identity protections will be paramount in combating the escalating risks associated with workforce onboarding. To delve deeper into the report's findings, you can download the complete Deepfake Readiness Benchmark Report from GetReal Security.