Deepfakes, or videos that utilize AI-based technology to create or alter content to misrepresent reality, are becoming more indistinguishable from reality. These videos frequently utilize face-swapping to falsify statements or actions of others. Threat actors could utilize this technology to create content that would cause significant market disruption- for example, a high ranking finance executive declaring their firm is no longer liquid, or the Chairman of the Fed stating that the US is unable to pay debt requirements. Proliferation of the content via social media has the potential to cause immediate impact to global economies, plausibly causing potential losses in the billions. Previous actions by threat groups have demonstrated this threat is not out of reach, as the necessary technology is low cost or free and technical barriers to entry are minimal. Financial institutions must be prepared to react accordingly.
Hailing from a town where the wifi infrastructure hasn’t been upgraded since 2004, I got my collegiate footing in global security but have since fallen victim to the slippery slope of information security. Now I spend my days using the tools of vendors whose parties I went to at my first DefCon in 2017 (hint: less champagne). I’m hoping to expand my InfoSec horizons and please my research-loving brain by partnering with a mentor to present on a topic I’m incredibly passionate about- China.