Nonprofit Employees see a rise of Deepfake Risks in 2025 and beyond
One of the growing threats nonprofits face today is through deepfakes. Deepfakes are hyper-realistic videos or audio created by artificial intelligence that can impersonate people’s voices or likenesses. Attackers use deepfakes to trick employees into revealing sensitive information, authorizing payments, or clicking harmful links, often through email or phone calls that seem very convincing.
In 2025, cyber criminals use AI-powered tools to launch more realistic phishing attempts and social engineering attacks targeting nonprofits, which rely heavily on trust and communication. These attacks are designed to confuse and manipulate, making it crucial that every employee stays vigilant.
What Employees Should Know and Do
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Be suspicious of unusual requests, especially involving money or sensitive data. Verify through a separate communication method if a request seems odd.
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Watch for signs of deepfake emails or calls, like slightly off voices, unexpected urgencies, or inconsistencies in messaging.
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Do not click links or open attachments from unknown or unexpected sources.
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Participate actively in any cybersecurity training provided, including simulated phishing exercises designed to teach how to recognize AI-driven threats.
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Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi factor authentication (MFA) to protect access to systems.
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Understand that OFFSITE IT is continuously working to detect and block these AI-powered threats with advanced tools.
Why This Matters for Your Work
As a nonprofit, protecting donor information, internal communications, and operational data is critical to fulfilling your mission. Deepfake-driven scams seek to exploit trust to steal funds or leak data, potentially harming your reputation and resources. Awareness and cautious behavior are your first and best defense.
This focus on AI-powered phishing and scam prevention is part of a broader cybersecurity landscape where we (OFFSITE IT) will be using new technology and training to keep your nonprofit safe from ransomware, supply chain risks, and cloud security issues.
By staying informed and practicing good security habits, employees can help protect the organization from emerging cyber risks in 2025.
Stay safe out there!
