By 2025, deepfakes went from being internet novelties to one of the most dangerous threats to business. High-profile multimillion-dollar frauds, synthetic identity scams, and executive impersonation cases have proved that adversarial use of generative AI and synthetic media is no longer theoretical—it is actively changing how attackers deceive, infiltrate, and exploit organizations.

CISOs and CIOs no longer need to wonder whether their company will be targeted by a deepfake; they must now determine when and how prepared they will be to detect and respond. Attackers are using generative AI to impersonate executives in real time, socially engineer corporate IT help desks, and even gain employment using fabricated identities to access internal systems.

Many regulators and corporate boards are also raising the bar. They want concrete plans for detecting and mitigating AI-driven deception and identity manipulation. As scrutiny increases, technology and security leaders must demonstrate not just why they are investing in deepfake detection, but how those investments fit into the company’s broader risk management and resilience strategy.

As 2026 budgets come together, CISOs and CIOs have a unique opportunity to move from small-scale pilots to full-scale, integrated defenses that build trust, lower risk, and embed deepfake and synthetic media protection into organizational governance.

The Changing Threat Environment

The rapid evolution of generative AI has sparked an arms race. Attackers can now produce audio and video that appear authentic, fooling both people and many automated systems. These tools are inexpensive, accessible, and improving at an exponential rate.

The business impact is already evident:

A 2025 survey found 55% of organizations had experienced a deepfake attack resulting in losses of more than $280,000 on average (with 5% losing $1 million or more)
A multinational engineering firm authorized transfers totaling $25 million after an employee was deceived during a multi-person deepfake video call.
Nearly every Fortune 500 company has hired a fraudulent North Korean IT worker, adversaries who use deepfakes to hide their true identities in the hiring process.

As we move into 2026, organizations should expect this threat to intensify:

Targeted executive impersonations to authorize payments, sway negotiations, or alter information.
Fake job applicants using deepfakes to secure sensitive positions.
Phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks augmented by synthetic media.
False narratives spread during crises, disrupting operations and damaging credibility.
Expanding government regulations requiring detection, disclosure, and verification of authenticity.

Deepfakes are no longer emerging risks—they are doing damage today and growing.

What CISOs and CIOs Need to Know About Business Risks

Deepfake AI threats extend far beyond cybersecurity. They pose strategic, financial, operational, and reputational risks that demand board-level attention.

Imposter hiring and insider threats
During remote interviews, attackers now use AI-generated video and voice to impersonate job candidates, demonstrating that hiring processes are under attack. Once hired, they gain access to data, systems, and intellectual property—creating insider vulnerabilities that traditional defenses cannot detect.

Fraud and financial loss
Deepfakes are being used to secure approvals for fraudulent payments and send fraudulent communications from executives. Cybersecurity insurers may soon consider adding deepfake detection readiness to coverage decisions, meaning unprepared companies could face higher premiums or reduced protection.

Loss of trust
A single deepfake video or audio clip of a CEO or senior executive can mislead investors, confuse customers, and damage brand reputation. Rebuilding trust after such an incident is costly and slow.

Operational disruption
Deepfakes can derail crisis response by spreading misinformation during incidents, delaying decision-making, and amplifying confusion when clarity is most needed.

Compliance exposure
Governments are advancing policies that require transparency and verification for AI-generated content. Companies unable to detect or disclose synthetic media could face penalties or greater regulatory scrutiny.

The bottom line: deepfakes now threaten brand trust, financial integrity, operational resilience, and workforce security.

Key Budget Considerations for 2026

CISOs and CIOs entering the 2026 planning cycle should focus on balancing investments across technology, process, and governance. The objective is to shift from reactive detection to proactive defense and organizational readiness.

1. Technology Investments

Prioritize AI-powered detection platforms that analyze video, audio, and imagery in real time to ensure authenticity. Ensure seamless integration with existing communications and collaboration tools and enterprise workflows. Monitoring for AI-manipulation of videoconference participants’ audio and video streams and verifying participant identities should be a top priority to protect executive meetings, board sessions, and hiring workflows.

2. People and Process

Invest in specialized training for cybersecurity, HR, and operations teams. Build awareness of deepfake AI tactics and how to report and respond to detections. Develop and rehearse incident playbooks for executive impersonation, fraudulent transactions, and imposter hiring.

3. Governance and Compliance

Prepare for evolving regulations. Allocate budget for auditing tools, reporting systems, and documentation that demonstrate due diligence in managing synthetic media risks. Collaborate closely with legal, risk, and privacy teams.

4. Culture and Awareness

Launch enterprise-wide awareness initiatives emphasizing verification and critical thinking. Combine awareness with secure videoconferencing practices to reduce social engineering and impersonation risks in hybrid and remote work environments.

5. Contingency and Flexibility

Reserve flexible budget allocations for defense against emerging threats and detection advancements. Deepfake technology evolves rapidly, and organizations that adapt quickly will maintain a stronger defense posture.

Practical First Steps

To simplify adoption, GetRealSecurity offers two immediate options:

A free trial that allows teams to evaluate detection performance.
An introductory starter kit that delivers enterprise-grade videoconferencing protection for 25 users and a readiness service package including readiness assessment, policy development, and awareness training

The starter kit is not a demo—it’s a working deployment that helps CISOs prove effectiveness, validate ROI, and build organizational support for scaling detection enterprise wide.

Business Justification and ROI

Boards and CFOs want measurable results from security investments. The ROI for deepfake detection is clear: it prevents fraud, preserves reputation, and ensures compliance.

Preventing fraud
Stopping even one multimillion-dollar deepfake-enabled transaction or fraudulent remote IT work can justify years of investment.

Insurance leverage
Insurers are rewarding companies that implement pro-active measures such as deepfake detection and identity verification.

Trust and reputation
Avoiding a single synthetic media incident preserves investor and shareholder confidence and brand equity.

Compliance readiness
Early adoption reduces liability, supports regulatory compliance, and mitigates reputational risk.

GetRealSecurity enables CISOs to demonstrate this ROI in practice. The free trial supports rapid evaluation, while the 25-user starter kit offers real-world deployment. This phased approach allows security leaders to show tangible value, refine operations, and align executive stakeholders.

Strategic Recommendations for CISOs and CIOs

To make deepfake defense a cornerstone of enterprise cybersecurity and governance, leaders should:

Build a cross-functional coalition including HR, legal, compliance, finance, and communications.
Strengthen hiring processes with continuous digital identity verification to stop synthetic job candidates.
Prioritize secure, authenticated video conferencing for executive and sensitive communications.
Integrate detection into existing tools like collaboration platforms, identity systems, and fraud monitoring.
Conduct training and tabletop exercises to ensure quick, coordinated responses to synthetic media threats.
Adopt a phased deployment model, starting with targeted implementations like GetRealSecurity’s 25-user starter kit before scaling enterprise-wide.
Treat compliance as a competitive advantage that reinforces digital trust.
Maintain flexible budgets for adopting emerging detection technologies.
Elevate the issue to the boardroom, by talking about and framing deepfakes with the board in the right way to make deepfake defense a strategic mandate.
Protect the workforce identity lifecycle by securing voice, image, and likeness across onboarding, credential resets, and access recovery to prevent account takeover and internal compromise.

Conclusion: Preparing for a Future Filled with Synthetic Media Threats

By 2025, deepfakes had already become widespread across industries. Documented multimillion-dollar frauds, verified six-figure schemes, and pervasive attack attempts make it clear that what was once rare is becoming routine.

That makes 2026 a year for decisive, well-planned investment. CISOs and CIOs must secure video conferencing, reinforce hiring and continuous identity protection, train teams to recognize synthetic threats, and embed detection across the enterprise.

GetRealSecurity helps organizations take action today with a free trial and a 25-user starter kit that provides immediate, real-time protection and a scalable path to long-term resilience.

Deepfakes are already here—and they are accelerating. The question for 2026 isn’t whether to invest, but how fast and how comprehensively to act. With the right strategy, budget, and partners, organizations can not only withstand the age of synthetic media but lead with confidence, protecting the trust, reputation, and authenticity that define modern business.

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