Corporate executives face mounting digital threats as AI drives impersonation

Corporate executives are facing a rise in impersonation-based cyberattacks aimed at gaining access to their home networks and putting them and their families at risk of personal harm, security researchers and other experts warn.

The increase in threat activity is connected to the growing sophistication of voice-cloning and deepfake technology, which allows attackers to send out fake videos and messages claiming to be from trusted contacts, such as senior executives at the targets’ companies. After breaching their targets, the attackers use their privileged access to further dupe the victims’ colleagues and engage in corporate espionage or extortion. 

The rise in impersonation attacks against executives comes as the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024 heightens business leaders’ fears for their personal safety and that of their families. 

Read more at Cybersecurity Dive