Deepfakes: A Growing Threat to Hiring in the Life Sciences Industry

As Life Sciences recruiting becomes more selective and AI has continued advancement, incorporating these technologies into recruitment processes has become commonplace. Automated hiring systems, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), have streamlined candidate screening, making it easier to identify talent quickly. However, these systems are not without their vulnerabilities. One significant emerging threat is the use of deepfakes—highly realistic but artificially created images, videos, and voices—to deceive automated hiring systems. This article explores the risks posed by deepfakes, particularly in the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics industries, and offers insights on how to mitigate these threats. 

The Dangers of Deepfake Hires 

Imagine a scenario where a Life Sciences company inadvertently hires a candidate whose qualifications and experience are fabricated through deepfake technology. The potential consequences could be disastrous: 

1. Compromised Patient Safety: In the medical device sector, unqualified or malicious personnel could instigate critical device errors, leading to patient harm or even fatalities. The integrity and safety of products that rely on programming depend heavily on the expertise of the professionals involved and an intentional attack could be mounted quickly. 

1. Regulatory Non-Compliance: Regulatory bodies such as the FDA impose stringent requirements on companies operating in the Life Sciences. Hiring individuals who do not meet these standards due to deepfake deceptions can lead to non-compliance, hefty fines, and reputational damage.  

1. Intellectual Property Risks: Biotechnology and diagnostics companies often deal with highly sensitive and proprietary information. A deepfake hire with malicious intent could steal or compromise valuable intellectual property. 

1. Financial Losses:  There are the big items such as potential ransom payments, or loss of misdirected funds, and other costs such as those associated with hiring, onboarding, and potentially firing a deepfake employee.  Coupled with the legal and operational ramifications, lost productivity, and legal fees, the financial risk can be substantial. 

The post-Covid era has remote work as a key part of the talent landscape in the Life Sciences. In a remote work scenario, the risk of hiring a deepfake candidate increases significantly. Without regular in-person interactions, it becomes easier for a deepfake to maintain their facade, leveraging digital communication channels to perpetuate their deception. The potential for miscommunication, and lack of oversight, on top of the difficulty in verifying the candidate's true identity and credentials exacerbate the risk. 

How Deepfakes Are Created 

Understanding how deepfakes are created can help in identifying and preventing them. Here is a typical process that malicious actors might follow to create a deepfake candidate: 

1. Identity Theft: The process begins with a bad actor stealing the identity of a real professional in the industry. This can involve hacking personal information from social media profiles, professional networks, or other online databases. 

1. Application Submission: Using the stolen identity, the perpetrators submit an online application for a remote job. The application includes fabricated qualifications and experience that match the stolen identity. 

1. Deepfake Creation: Next, advanced AI-driven video and audio technology is employed to create a synthetic likeness of the person whose identity was stolen. This involves generating realistic video and audio representations that can mimic the real person’s appearance and voice. 

1. Remote Interviews: During remote interviews, deepfake technology is used to present this synthetic likeness. The fake candidate can respond to questions and interact in real time, making it nearly impossible for untrained eyes to spot the deception. 

1. Background Check Subversion: Having stolen the identity of a real professional, the fake candidate satisfies the background check with the stolen information. 

1. Onboarding and Access: Once hired, the deepfake remote worker receives new-hire credentials and access to important company systems. They can then begin to wreak havoc, stealing data, compromising security, and disrupting operations. 

The Role of Human Interaction

While automated systems can be efficient, the element of human interaction remains crucial in combating deepfake candidates. Here’s how human intervention can make a difference: 

1. Live Interviews: Face-to-face interactions, whether in-person or through secure video conferencing platforms, can help recruiters better assess the authenticity of a candidate. Human intuition and the ability to read body language are invaluable in detecting inconsistencies that machines might miss. Be wary of video streaming and technical difficulties as scammers will sometimes simulate problems to avoid suspicion on why audio and video are not matching up. 

1. Skilled Interviewing: Skilled interviewers can ask nuanced, industry-specific questions that are difficult for deepfakes to respond to convincingly. This helps in verifying the depth of a candidate’s knowledge and experience.  Interviewers can also be trained to “sniff out” fake candidates with the caution to watch for things like eye blinks as it is hard to replicate completely.   

1. Reference Checks: Human-led reference checks are vital. Speaking directly with previous employers and colleagues can provide insights that are difficult to fabricate, ensuring the candidate's history aligns with their claims. 

1. Using a Reputable Recruiting Firm: Partnering with a reputable recruiting agency that has experience in the industry can add an extra layer of scrutiny. These firms have multiple interactions with candidates over a long period of time on an unplanned basis, limiting the risk of a fake candidate.

Tips for Job Seekers to Avoid Deepfake Jobs and Fraud 

As deepfakes become more sophisticated, job seekers must also be vigilant. Here are some tips to help identify and avoid fraudulent job postings: 

1. Research the Company: Before applying, thoroughly research the company. Verify its legitimacy through multiple sources, including its official website, LinkedIn, and industry forums. 

1. Be Wary of Unrealistic Offers: If a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of offers with exceptionally high salaries or benefits that seem disproportionate to the job requirements. 

1. Verify Communication Channels: Ensure that communications are coming from official company email addresses and phone numbers. Be skeptical of communications through unofficial channels or personal emails. 

1. Use Trusted Recruiters: Working with a reputable recruitment agency can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to fake job postings. Trusted recruiters have established relationships with legitimate companies and can provide a layer of security and assurance. 

Conclusion

The threat of deepfakes in the hiring process is real and growing, especially in the Life Sciences industry where the stakes are high. By training those involved, ensuring human interaction in the recruitment process, and remaining vigilant against potential fraud, companies and job seekers can protect themselves from the risks associated with deepfakes. Working with trusted recruiters can further enhance the security and integrity of the hiring process, ensuring that only qualified and genuine candidates make it through.