Beyond Theory: What UNIMY Students Taught Us About AI Voice Scams

UNIMY’s student-led Cybersecurity Club (CYSECA) recently hosted an eye-opening session titled “Welcome to the Cyber Frontier,” prompting all of us to rethink what trust truly means in today’s digital landscape.

Ukail Bin Umar Bashir, a Diploma in Information Technology (Cybersecurity) student, delivered an impactful presentation on the rising threat of AI-powered cyberattacks. Rather than staying in the realm of theory, he broke down real-world tactics used by hackers today - from deepfake videos to AI-generated voice clones capable of slipping past traditional security checks.

He also spotlighted a recent case in Malaysia where scammers used AI to mimic an executive’s voice. Employees received a call from their “boss” requesting an urgent bank transfer. Convinced the voice was genuine, they sent the funds, only to later discover it was a sophisticated AI-driven scam.

This threat isn’t coming. It’s happening now. In today’s world, hearing is no longer believing. So the real question is: how do we stay one step ahead?

Ukail introduced a simple but powerful strategy called “Verify Beyond Voice.” Instead of relying on voice recognition alone, teams can use internal security questions or pre-agreed “safe words” known only to genuine staff members. AI can clone a voice, but it can’t replicate what only your team knows. This extra layer of verification creates a strong, practical line of defense.

This session also reflects the vision of Dr. Fairuz, Dean of UNIMY’s School of Computing and Digital Technology, who encourages students not just to learn about emerging threats, but to lead the discussion and drive awareness. Events like this show how UNIMY is actively shaping the next generation of digital defenders.

Do tay tuned for more hands-on, real-world cybersecurity sessions from CYSECA. At UNIMY, cybersecurity isn’t just a subject. It’s a mission.