Has GetReal cracked the code on AI deepfakes?

Has GetReal cracked the code on AI deepfakes?

The rapid rise of hyper-realistic deepfakes is reshaping the threats in cybersecurity, costing companies millions of dollars and raising serious national security concerns. With malicious deepfakes now being used in scams and impersonation, the challenge for governments and enterprises is greater than ever. Enter GetReal, a startup focused on exposing and halting deepfakes in video, audio, and still images.

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New Funding and Upcoming Forensics Platform

GetReal recently secured $17.5 million in equity funding — money that will drive research and development, expand its team, and boost its business development efforts. The funding round comes with the support of top-notch investors and strategic partners. GetReal’s breakthrough solution is now being introduced as a forensics platform delivered as a service.

The platform offers several integrated tools including:

A threat exposure dashboard for overall risk assessment
An “Inspect” tool designed to shield high-profile executives from being spoofed
A “Protect” tool for pre-screening media content
A “Respond” service where specialized teams perform in-depth analysis

For more background on the deepfake scams that have already cost millions, check out this detailed article on The Guardian.

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Backing from Top Investors

The Series A round is led by Forgepoint Capital, a firm that specializes in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence investments. Ballistic Ventures, Evolution Equity, and K2 Access Fund have also joined the effort to support GetReal’s mission. Notably, Ballistic Ventures played a pivotal role in GetReal’s early development, having incubated the startup from 2022 until its emergence from stealth mode in mid-2024.

An additional sign of strength comes from Ballistic’s founder, Ted Schlein. Previously at Kleiner Perkins, Schlein not only co-founded Ballistic but also serves as the chairman and co-founder of GetReal.

Hany as a Service

At the core of GetReal’s innovative approach is the expertise of Hany Farid, a renowned academic in digital image forensics now at UC Berkeley. Farid has been at the forefront of determining when media has been manipulated — long before deepfakes became a widely recognized threat. His pioneering work, once applied informally for media outlets and legal teams, has now been translated into a robust, scalable service.

GetReal’s CEO, Matt Moynahan, who joined the company during its stealth phase, brings three decades of experience from major cybersecurity organizations like Symantec, Arbor Networks, Veracode, and Forcepoint. He emphasizes that the current threat landscape is evolving into uncharted territory. “If you think cybersecurity has a shortage of people, get ready for forensics,” Moynahan notes, highlighting that deepfake impersonations have taken on new dimensions with digital transformation.

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The Broader Impact on Cybersecurity

Deepfake technology is pushing the limits of traditional security measures. GetReal not only aims to detect altered media but also to provide an end-to-end solution for managing these evolving risks. From screening media content to offering expert response teams for detailed forensic analysis, the company is setting a new standard in cyber-forensics.

Investment insights reveal that heavily regulated sectors like finance are already seeking solutions for deepfake impersonations. Prominent companies including John Deere and Visa have become early clients, underlining the immediate demand for heightened verification processes. Moreover, government agencies have also expressed interest, especially as deepfake-driven misinformation can lead to critical breaches in national security protocols.

The Signal Effect: Text-Based Threats on the Horizon

While GetReal currently focuses on deepfakes in audio, video, and still imagery, attention is quickly turning to text-based impersonations. A recent incident involving a misinterpreted Signal group chat planning a military strike in Yemen highlighted the dangerous potential of text manipulation. Although this area falls outside GetReal’s immediate purview, it represents a future challenge for the industry.

As these threats evolve, GetReal’s roadmap indicates plans to eventually extend its protection to encompass all forms of digital impersonation. The company’s ambition is to integrate traditional forensic techniques with modern technological innovation, providing comprehensive cyber defense solutions.

With its robust funding, impressive client roster, and visionary leadership, GetReal is poised to redefine deepfake detection. For those keeping an eye on cybersecurity, its responsive and adaptive model might just be the breakthrough we need in this digital age.