When artificial becomes authentic, how do I prove I am me?
2024-11-01, 12:00–12:30 (Europe/Amsterdam), Main stage

In 2024, we have an extensive archive of cyber-related incidents illustrating the various forms of attacks that organizations and individuals face daily. Few things for veterans in the cyber domain can be considered 'surprising' or 'shocking,' and many believe not even AI is going to rock the boat. Cybercrime is, after all, an evolution, not a revolution, and at its core, we recognize its DNA. However, the advent of generative AI introduces unprecedented challenges in both scale and complexity, particularly in the realm of impersonation fraud and identity theft.

This presentation aims to delve into how generative AI, with its ability to create highly convincing deepfakes and clone voices, is revolutionizing financial identity theft. We will explore what countermeasures, if any, are already being taken and how we can avoid situations where victims bear the reverse burden of proof. Drawing on my previous research into the facilitating factors of financial identity theft, I will examine how AI complicates an already complex issue and discuss potential strategies to mitigate these emerging threats.

Nicole van der Meulen is an experienced professional and thought leader in the area of cybercrime and cyber security. Currently she serves as Cyber Security Innovation Lead at SURF. Previously she was the Head of Policy & Development at Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), where she was responsible, amongst others, for the Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). Prior to Europol, she held various positions in the Dutch public sector, academia and for nonprofit organisations all focused on enhancing the fight against cybercrime and improving cyber security. She obtained her PhD in 2010 from Tilburg University on a comparative study focusing on digital identity fraud in the United States and the Netherlands.