AI-Generated Fraud Threatens Indiana Businesses: The Critical Need for Advanced Deepfake Detection in 2025
The digital landscape of 2025 has brought unprecedented challenges for Indiana businesses, with deepfake-enabled fraud exceeding $200 million in financial losses during the first quarter of 2025 alone. As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, cybercriminals are weaponizing this technology to create convincing fake videos, audio recordings, and images that can deceive even the most vigilant employees.
The Explosive Growth of Deepfake Threats
The statistics surrounding deepfake fraud are alarming. Deepfake fraud attempts rose by more than 1,300% in 2024, jumping from an average of one per month to seven per day, while voice deepfakes rose 680% last year. Even more concerning, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, there were 179 deepfake incidents, surpassing the total for all of 2024 by 19%.
For Indiana companies, this threat is particularly relevant. Deepfake fraud cases surged 1,740% in North America between 2022 and 2023, with financial losses exceeding $200 million in Q1 2025 alone. The accessibility of deepfake technology has democratized fraud, with voice cloning now requiring just 20-30 seconds of audio, while convincing video deepfakes can be created in 45 minutes using freely available software.
Real-World Impact on Businesses
The consequences of deepfake attacks extend far beyond financial losses. A recent case in Hong Kong saw a finance worker transfer $39 million, thinking they were on a video call with their CFO and colleagues, when they were actually talking to deepfake impostors, showing how deepfake tech is becoming a real threat in financial fraud.
77% of deepfake scam victims ended up losing money, and about one-third lost over $1,000. Beyond direct financial impact, one overlooked impact is psychological: when employees learn about deepfake scams, they may hesitate to trust legitimate instructions from real leaders.
Indiana’s Cybersecurity Landscape
Indiana has recognized the growing cybersecurity threat, with Governor Mike Braun signing Executive Order 25-10 on January 13, 2025, continuing the work of the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC). The overall small to medium business (SMB) landscape in Indiana, which includes many of the tech businesses, is diverse and a crucial component of the state’s economy, but all this great news for Indiana comes with a strong word of caution, especially for SMBs – protect your data!
It’s a common misconception that small and medium sized businesses won’t be the target of ransomware. However, the truth is that hackers love targeting these businesses because they often have weaker security systems with fewer protections in place.
Detection Technologies and Solutions
Fortunately, technology companies are rising to meet this challenge. Data shows a 46% year-over-year increase in adversary-in-the-middle attacks — many of them real-time deepfakes — which security companies now proactively detect and flag before they reach customers. Today’s real-time deepfakes demand real-time defense, adaptive systems, and infrastructure built with regulations in mind.
Advanced detection methods include real-time detection methods like liveness detection technology, which determines whether the audio or video source is human or artificially created. AI and ML can be used to counteract deepfake technology, providing real-time analysis and alerts to suspicious activity, as deepfake cybersecurity solutions are rapidly evolving to keep pace with threats.
Protecting Your Indiana Business
For Indiana businesses looking to protect themselves against deepfake threats, a multi-layered approach is essential. Regular cybersecurity awareness training should include education on recognizing and reporting potential deepfake attacks, with employees taught to verify unexpected requests, even if they appear to come from trusted sources.
Companies should also always verify requests through known channels—use callbacks, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and strict validation protocols to prevent impersonation attacks. Organizations can deploy deepfake detection tools that use AI to identify inconsistencies in video, audio, or image files, as these tools are essential in detecting fake content before it causes damage.
Local Expertise in Indiana
Indiana businesses don’t have to face these challenges alone. Local cybersecurity providers like CTS Computers have been serving the region since 1991, offering comprehensive protection strategies. Since 1991, CTS Computers has been a leading provider of IT support and consulting, focusing on small and medium sized businesses in central Illinois and Indiana, helping hundreds of businesses increase productivity and profitability by making IT a streamlined part of operations and equipping clients with customized technology solutions for greater operational value and to reduce risk.
Companies like CTS Computers understand that Indianapolis is a hub for innovation and technology, making businesses here particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals, and protecting your business’s data and systems is crucial to maintaining operations, preserving your reputation, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Their approach includes developing customized cybersecurity strategies that align with business goals and budget, implementing agreed-upon security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and employee training.
For businesses seeking comprehensive protection, professional Cybersecurity Services Indiana providers offer the expertise and advanced tools necessary to detect and prevent deepfake attacks before they can cause damage.
The Future of Deepfake Defense
Looking ahead, deepfaked calls are projected to increase +155% in 2025, with deepfake-related fraud expected to grow +162%, making up an increasingly large share of total fraud. Fraud losses facilitated by generative AI technologies are predicted to escalate to US$40 billion in the United States by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 32% from US$12.3 billion in 2023.
However, 43% of enterprises say investing in deepfake protection will be a top priority in the next 12-18 months, with many already prioritizing AI-powered solutions and training programs to stay ahead of this emerging threat.
Taking Action Now
The message for Indiana businesses is clear: the time to act is now. The solution requires immediate, coordinated action, with organizations needing to implement robust verification protocols, invest in continuous detection capabilities, and transform their security culture from “trust but verify” to “never trust, always verify”.
Deepfakes may be growing in sophistication and appear to be a daunting threat, but by integrating deepfakes into the company’s cybersecurity and risk management, CISOs – with the assistance of General Counsel, the CEO, and Chief Risk Officers – can help their companies stay one step ahead of malicious actors.
As deepfake technology continues to evolve, Indiana businesses must remain vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity approach. By partnering with experienced local providers, implementing advanced detection technologies, and maintaining comprehensive employee training programs, companies can build robust defenses against this emerging threat while continuing to thrive in the digital economy.