You may have heard about deepfakes in the media. This technology, powered by AI, creates hyper-realistic images, audio, and videos by manipulating existing media, often placing one person’s likeness or voice onto another. The results can be so convincing that it becomes difficult to distinguish between real and fake.
While deepfake technology is fascinating, it presents significant risks, particularly in fraud. Impersonation using deepfakes allows fraudsters to bypass traditional verification processes, creating fake identities that look genuine.
What do deepfakes mean for HR?
One of the main risks for HR professionals lies in the interview process. Impersonation fraud has become a real issue, especially for large recruiting teams. There have been cases where candidates have had accomplices appear for virtual interviews or assessments in their place. Companies can unwittingly hire unqualified individuals without proper face-matching verification between interview rounds.
As robot-based interviews and automated assessments grow in popularity, deepfakes could further compromise recruitment integrity, posing a significant challenge to employers handling thousands of interviews annually. These fraudulent hires could lead to data breaches, theft, and other security threats, making it vital for HR teams to stay ahead of these evolving risks.
Challenges faced by HR specialists in detecting deep fakes
Traditional verification methods are insufficient against the high-quality manipulations that deepfakes produce. Deepfake technology has advanced to the point where even the smallest signs of tampering, such as missing frequencies in audio or visual artifacts, are nearly undetectable. As AI tools become more sophisticated, detecting these fraudulent media files becomes even harder.
Consequences for businesses
The consequences of deepfakes slipping through the cracks can be severe. Hiring employees with falsified identities can result in internal security breaches, loss of sensitive data, and financial damage.
In 2023, approximately 96,000 deepfake videos were circulating online, marking a 550% rise since 2019. A recent case in Hong Kong highlighted the danger when a deepfake video impersonating a finance manager successfully requested a fraudulent payment of 25 million dollars. Additionally, McAfee’s survey reported that over 75% of Indians had encountered deepfake content in the past 12 months.
In sectors such as banking, finance, and logistics, the incidence of employee fraud is particularly high, with red cases reaching 15.2%.
Solutions and best practices for HR departments
To combat deep fake fraud, HR teams must:
Stay informed: Keeping up with the latest technology and fraudulent practices is crucial to building a secure workplace.
Outsource verification: Partner with AI-specialized companies to handle fraud detection and verification processes.
Educate and train: Regular training for HR personnel on fraud detection techniques is essential to ensure vigilance during the hiring process.
Promote open communication: Encourage employees to report suspicious requests or activities that could involve deepfake impersonations.
Strengthen cybersecurity: Adhering to ISO standards and complying with data protection norms is key to maintaining robust security measures.