Fortium Insights

5 Ways to Prepare the Boardroom for AI Deepfakes: What Every Executive Team Needs

Written by Fortium Partners | Jun 19, 2025 3:57:57 PM

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has introduced a new class of cyber threats - none more alarming than voice and video deepfakes. These highly realistic forgeries of a person’s likeness or voice are already being used to manipulate financial transactions, damage reputations, and spread misinformation.

In 2023, a multinational company was tricked into transferring $25 million after an employee received a deepfake video call from what appeared to be the company’s CFO. In another case, the FBI issued a warning that deepfakes were being used to apply for remote tech jobs to gain access to corporate systems.

These are not hypothetical risks - they’re active threats. And your leadership team needs to be prepared.

Why Deepfakes Are Now a Board-Level Concern

A report by VMware found that 66% of security professionals saw deepfakes used in cyberattacks in 2022 - a dramatic jump from just 13% the year before. Meanwhile, more than 500,000 voice deepfake samples, voice and video deepfakes, were detected by DeepMedia, a Deepfake Detection and Media Intelligence company, during fraud investigations in 2023. 

As AI tools become more accessible, cybercriminals are increasingly using them to mimic CEOs, forge urgent financial requests, or fabricate public-facing video announcements. The consequences for companies are severe - stock prices, brand trust, and executive credibility can be undermined within minutes.

Inside the Deepfake Tabletop Exercise

At Fortium Partners, we offer a specialized AI Threat Voice and Video Deepfake Tabletop Exercise designed for Board members and senior executives. This 2-3 hour simulation immerses your team in realistic deepfake scenarios and crisis response planning.

What’s Included:

  1. Custom Scenarios
    Simulated deepfake threats that impact executive communications, shareholder confidence, and market activity.

  2. Live Demonstration
    A real-time showcase of AI-generated video and audio impersonations to highlight the growing realism and ease of access.

  3. Facilitated Strategy Session
    Guided discussions led by cybersecurity experts, focusing on decision-making, governance, and reputational risk.

  4. Governance & Policy Review
    A comprehensive look at existing incident response plans, regulatory readiness, and internal communication procedures.

  5. Actionable Recommendations
    Tailored governance-level strategies to close gaps and build long-term resilience against AI-driven threats.

This session's participants are critical for:

  • Board of Directors

  • CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite leaders

  • Legal & Compliance Officers

  • Risk and Audit Committees

  • Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Executives

Why This Matters Now

AI is lowering the barrier to entry for digital deception. A 2024 study by iProov found that more than 80% of enterprises are concerned about AI-generated fraud, yet less than 40% have tested incident response strategies for such threats.

If your organization hasn’t yet experienced a deepfake attack, it’s likely just a matter of time. These attacks can:

  • Trigger false news coverage and public panic

  • Lead to unauthorized financial transactions

  • Jeopardize merger/acquisition talks

  • Damage employee and investor trust

Don’t Have a Full-Time CISO? Consider a Part-Time CISO Approach

Many mid-market and growth-stage companies don’t have the resources for a full-time CISO. That’s where Fortium Partners comes in. By engaging a part-time CISO, your organization gains immediate access to executive-level cybersecurity leadership and real-time threat intelligence.

A fractional/interim CISO can help:

  • Prepare leadership for deepfake risks

  • Assess and enhance your incident response playbooks

  • Align your cybersecurity strategy with board-level governance

Deepfakes are no longer a future concern - they’re an impending threat. As these technologies advance, so must your boardroom’s ability to understand and respond.

This tabletop exercise gives your executive team a hands-on, realistic preview of what it’s like to face a deepfake crisis - and equips them with the strategic tools to respond with confidence.

Ready to prepare your boardroom for the age of AI?
Download our guide “The CEO’s Guide to Hiring a CISO” or visit fortiumpartners.com to learn more about engaging a part-time CISO today.

Want to learn more about the benefits of fractional/interim CISO? Read How Mid-market CEOs Can Strengthen Cybersecurity with Affordable Solutions Today

To schedule a call: Email deepfake@fortiumpartners.com

Sources: 1) https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/04/asia/deepfake-cfo-scam-hong-kong-intl-hnk, 2) https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/97915-ic3-issues-warning-on-deepfake-use-in-remote-work-applications#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Bureau%20of%20Investigation,from%20escalating%20to%20a%20cyberattack. 3) https://news.broadcom.com/releases/vmware-report-warns-of-deepfake-attacks-and-cyber-extortion , 4) https://www.openfox.com/deepfakes-and-their-impact-on-society/, 5) https://www.iproov.com/blog/artificial-intelligence-paradox-cybersecurity#:~:text=Survey%20Results%20Highlight%20AI%20as,reliability%20than%20the%20human%20eye).