Technical Writing Sample - Briefing Paper: Deepfakes and Cybersecurity in the Workplace

By: Ali Hussain

Prepared for Calgary-based technology firms, this document outlines a present and growing challenge—the rise of deepfakes in cybersecurity threats. In 2025, the line between authentic communication and artificial manipulation is blurring faster than most companies are ready for and is estimated to cost well over $600 million in damages by the end of 2025.

1. The Emerging Threat

With artificial intelligence accelerating at an unprecedented pace, organizations are witnessing a new class of risk: digital impersonation through deepfakes. This briefing was created to help companies understand the nature of the threat, assess its relevance in a Canadian tech context, and begin discussions on realistic defenses.

2. Key Information

This document is most useful to:

- Administrative officials
- Executives 

- Cybersecurity professionals
- Communications & Human Resources staff

3. Understanding the Threat

At its core, a deepfake is artificially generated media (text, video or audio) that mimics real individuals with high accuracy. In the past year alone, several companies have reported incidents where fake executive messages led to internal confusion, phishing attempts, or even fraudulent financial transfers. Due to the high level of sophistication and accuracy using powerful AI systems, most employees in the workplace are unprepared for the realism and capabilities of these attacks.

4. How It Happens

Here are examples of deepfake-enabled attacks:

Scenarios:

A “CEO” video call instructs Finance to wire funds

Fake audio of HR requesting administrative access

An employee with a familiar name sends an email asking for access to a document

A deepfake image or financial document from a “vendor”

5. Mitigation

- Educating staff to spot subtle red flags by examining strange timing or dates, vague instructions and odd syntax use
- Have a double-verification system with two personnel assigned for important access to finance or high level administrative systems
- Utilize software that can detect deepfakes but also utilize a human aspect to double check vital steps

6. Canada’s Future Security

While laws are catching up, proposed laws like Bill C-63 hint at a future where companies are expected to do more to prevent harm from deepfake or AI-assisted media content. Companies and firms in Alberta should start building policy frameworks before incidences occur.  

7. Action Items

- Hold a simulation of a deepfake event
- Audit internal workflows for impersonation risk points
- Start a ‘trust but verify’ training push across departments with double verify systems
- Assign one leader to own artificial media monitoring

8. Final Note

Deepfakes aren’t just a future threat, they’re already being used in high-level scams. In order for successful prevention of fraud, damage and reputational risk to organizations, organizations must conduct rigorous simulation and education of such risks to their staff in order to adapt to this new threat.