MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Prepare to Protect Your Customers' Voices

Digital assistants are always listening, creating a significant security risk as the threat of voice-based cybercrime grows.

The threat of voice-based cybercrime is growing along with the explosion of voice-directed digital assistants, billions of which are already embedded in our mobile phones, computers, cars, and homes. Digital assistants are always listening, creating a significant security risk, especially as millions of people work from home during the pandemic. It’s estimated that in the next two years, there will be more virtual digital assistants than people in the world. Nearly two-thirds of businesses plan to use voice assistants for their customer interactions, according to a 2018 survey conducted by Pindrop Security.

About the Author

Paul Mee is the head of the cybersecurity practice at Oliver Wyman. Gokhanedge Ozturk is the head of Oliver Wyman’s Frankfurt office and a partner in the digital practice.

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