Business owners need to recognize that IT departments are now driving the business world, however they may be driving it with an unqualified pilot. There is an ongoing IT crisis that CEOs need to understand; what it is and why it is happening. The business functionality can be affected in negative ways or positive ways by an IT department and its quality or lack of quality. Common business sense tells you that your IT department must be well trained, knowledgeable, and involved in constant educational workshops. Talent does indeed matter, especially when it comes to IT consulting and strategy. However, this thought process is causing an IT issue that must be addressed due to lack of focus on talent.
Real-World Examples of Deepfake Scams and Cyber Threats
Deepfakes are real — and they are being used in real cyber attacks with real, potentially expensive consequences. Here are some of the most notable:
Deepfake CEO Voice Scams
Cybercriminals used A.I. to replicate executives’ voices to convince employees to transfer millions of dollars. In one such incident, crooks used a deepfake voice of a company CEO to order up a transfer of $243,000, which the victim assumed was legit.
Deepfake Political Misinformation
Phony videos of world leaders saying inflammatory things have appeared online that horrify and confuse the public. These videos, which tend to have a particular prominence around election cycles, serve to distort voter perceptions and undermine democratic electoral processes.
Deepfake Job Interview Scams
Hackers are now using deepfake videos in remote job interviews to impersonate candidates and gain access to sensitive company systems. These attacks represent a new level of insider threat that HR teams need to be mindful of.
How to Detect and Protect Against Deepfakes
As deepfakes become increasingly advanced, they are increasingly difficult to detect. Yet individuals and organizations can take practical measures to remain protected:
Use Deepfake Detection Tools
Harness AI-driven detection tools that analyze face movements, pixel discrepancies and audio mismatches to identify manipulated media. Tools like Microsoft’s Video Authenticator or Deepware Scanner can help confirm authenticity.
Educate and Train Employees
Cybersecurity training should be a regular activity and should include information about deepfakes. Educate teams on how to look for red flags, such as unnatural facial expressions, uneven blinking or discrepancies in audio sync — particularly in emails or video calls.
Implement Strict Verification Processes
Employ multi factor authenitcation, callbacks or alternative identity confirmations for all high value or critical changes requested in inbound voice calls, video and email. Checking the identity of the sender before taking action avoids costly mistakes.
IT Readiness and Talent Concerns
Case studies show that your IT team is most likely ill prepared for these trickle down consequences. The reasons for our ongoing IT crisis could be related to the fact that 50% of IT employees do not exhibit a high effort of discretionary tasks, 50% of Human Resource functions are not fluid due to the IT evolution, and over 60% of CIOS and CEOs do not hold comprehensive skills predictive concerning IT, its roles, and its ultimate importance. The bottom line for your business is that if people at the top cannot recognize talent that lack of recognition is then a stumbling block to obtaining talented people. Training concerning IT employees and its roles needs to take place at the upper levels as well as take place in the HR unit. Recognizing talent is a must-have skill for actually hiring talent. You have to hire talent and then make sure that talent is given on-going educational opportunities. In technology, missing the directives for one new innovative development can literally mean an extreme loss of business. Your crew has to have all cutting-edge knowledge for you to be competitive, because that loss of business results in loss of profits and a wakening of trade competitiveness.
The Way to Approach the Current IT Crisis
In order to effectively manage the IT crisis without a loss in profit, interruption of company reputation, or harm to the business infrastructure, we need to look at three immediately actionable items.
01. Cultivate a team of highly-skilled professionals in your organization. 02. Review what IT skills your employees can offer. 03. Develop long-term employee talent strategies and training.
With an integrated, researched employee talent management plan, your organization can develop a more efficient and higher-performing IT category. As part of that strategy, must be the requirement for continuing education, skills evaluations, and field certification for the IT department.
The difference between mediocre organizations and great businesses is nearly 99% knowing who the right people are and placing those people into the correct positions. Craving the talent in the IT category is dynamic and valuable right now in this profession.
However, recognizing talent must be a learned skill in Human Resources and upper levels of management or the organization. Therefore the package must include training in recognizing talent. Talent drives performance in the business world. You will want to rely on a team that has an all-around view into the movers and shakers of leadership success, employee work skills and the role IT plays in this circle.
We could be that team for you! Allow us to provide talent recognition and training to your HR department, management, and IT department, so you and your organization can survive this challenging IT crisis.
