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In an era where remote work has become the norm, companies face an unexpected and serious threat — fake employees. While the notion of a leading security training platform falling victim to such deception may evoke a chuckle or two, the reality is far from amusing. In fact, the consequences of hiring a fake employee could jeopardize a company’s data security, financial stability, and reputation.
A Sobering Example
In July 2024, leading IT security company KnowBe4, known as the world’s first and largest security-awareness training and simulated, phishing platform, revealed that they had unknowingly hired a fake employee — a North Korean operative posing as a highly qualified software engineer. While KnowBe4’s security measures caught the issue within 25 minutes of detecting suspicious activity, the incident highlighted a concerning trend. Other organizations soon stepped forward with similar experiences, exposing a global, well-orchestrated scheme to infiltrate businesses.
This wasn’t just a one-off case. KnowBe4’s transparency opened the floodgates to conversations about fake employees, revealing that hundreds of organizations, both big and small, have fallen prey to similar schemes.
The Serious Risks
Hiring fake employees isn’t just a cybersecurity risk: it’s a legal minefield. U.S. laws and United Nations sanctions strictly prohibit employing North Koreans without UN approval. Penalties…
