Deepfakes: Identity Threats Bypassing Your Security Stack | GetReal Security

Deepfakes: Identity Threats Bypassing Legacy Security Stacks

These attacks exploit the boundary where technical IAM controls end and human judgment begins.

Attackers use deepfakes to manipulate help desk personnel, impersonate leadership on live calls, and bypass MFA through social engineering at the audiovisual layer.

Download the CISO guide now

Deepfake Security Incidents Are Causing Material Losses

$25M

Lost at Arup after a video call with entirely AI-generated executives bypassed all controls.

Source: Industry Analysis

.avif)

36% Of incident response cases used social engineering as initial access (mid-2024 to mid-2025).

Source: Industry Report

FBI

Issued public warnings that AI-crafted voice, video, and messages are being used for fraud.

Source: FBI Advisory

What CISOs Need to Know

Identity-based attacks are bypassing your infrastructure defenses. AI-generated voice and video are being weaponized to impersonate employees and trusted partners during live interactions.

These attacks exploit assumed identity in conversations, enabling unauthorized access and fraudulent approvals where your security stack has no visibility.

When authentication happens through human judgment rather than technical validation, your security perimeter moves outside the reach of your controls.

What Prepared Security Organizations Are Doing

Implement out-of-band verification for credential resets, access requests, and financial approvals
Require documented evidence of identity verification for critical access decisions
Move beyond “spot the fake” training to verification behaviors and procedural discipline
Close gaps between HR, IT, and Finance where deepfake attacks exploit disconnected processes
Establish playbooks for suspected deepfake incidents with immediate containment protocols

Treat deepfake-enabled identity attacks as a standing security risk. Invest in solutions that provide verification beyond what users see and hear.

Learn more by downloading our detailed guide here

Download the CISO guide now