It seems like you can’t trust anything these days… but not being able to trust your own employees? That’s a different level of scary…
Remote work has become a normal part of everyday business for the past few years now. Companies in Boston, Providence, Worcester, Framingham, and Hartford hire remote workers for operations, customer service, finance, marketing, development, and technology roles. This shift has helped businesses grow and stay competitive. It has also introduced a new hiring risk that many leaders still underestimate.
U.S. government agencies and cybersecurity researchers have confirmed that North Korean hackers are posing as legitimate remote workers to gain employment at real companies. These individuals use fake or stolen identities to get hired and then use their trusted access to systems and data once inside the organization. This is not a theoretical risk. It is an active and documented threat affecting U.S. businesses today.
[Source: FBI, National Law Review]
The takeaway for business leaders is straightforward. You must know exactly who you are hiring and who you are trusting as part of your remote workforce.
This Threat Is Not Limited to IT Jobs
Many articles focus on IT roles, but that view is incomplete. The real risk is not the job title. The risk is access. Any remote worker with system access, internal visibility, or customer interaction can create exposure if their identity is false.
Threat intelligence research shows that North Korean operatives have posed as software developers, data analysts, and technical staff. They have also appeared in roles tied to operations, support, finance, and business services. Remote work allows these individuals to operate without physical presence, making identity fraud harder to detect.
[Source: Recorded Future]
How Fake Remote Workers Get Hired
From the employer’s perspective, the hiring process often looks normal. Candidates submit polished resumes, maintain professional online profiles, and perform well during interviews. In reality, some of these profiles are built on stolen personal information or fabricated identities.
The FBI has warned that North Korean hackers often rely on identity theft and falsified documentation to secure employment. Once hired, they may route their work through intermediaries or hidden infrastructure to disguise their true location.
A common setup is a hacker pays an American to host their company laptop in their home, the hacker remotes into the laptop daily, disguising their location, and then giving the American a percentage of the pay. Some are aware of their actions and participate in the scam, others are unaware and are tricked into believing they are working a legit side-hustle.
[Source: FBI]
In more advanced cases, the hiring process itself becomes part of the attack. Cybersecurity researchers have documented fake job interviews and technical assessments that include malicious files. When these files are opened, malware is installed on company systems, sometimes before employment is finalized.
[Source: The Hacker News, TechRadar]
These threats are constantly evolving too. What may be their method today may look different in say a week, month or year from now.
Why This Is a Business Risk, Not Just a Cyber Issue
This threat goes beyond cybersecurity tools and software defenses. It is a business risk tied to trust and access. Remote workers are often granted credentials and permissions quickly so they can be productive. If those credentials belong to someone operating under a false identity, the impact can be severe.
A trusted remote worker may access financial platforms, customer records, internal communications, and operational data. They may learn how approvals work, where sensitive information is stored, and how systems connect. That level of access can be used for data theft, fraud, or long-term intelligence gathering.
Because these individuals appear to be legitimate employees, abnormal behavior may not be noticed right away. Recorded cases show that organizations sometimes discover the issue months later, after damage has already occurred.
[Source: Recorded Future]
What the U.S. Government Is Warning Businesses About
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued public alerts stating that North Korean remote worker schemes are increasing. These alerts explain that revenue from these jobs is sent back to North Korea and used to support prohibited programs. The FBI urges employers to strengthen identity verification and monitor remote access carefully.
The U.S. Department of Justice has also taken enforcement action against individuals who helped facilitate these schemes. DOJ announcements describe coordinated investigations, guilty pleas, and asset seizures connected to remote worker fraud affecting U.S. companies across multiple industries.
[Source: U.S. Department of Justice]
These actions confirm that the threat is organized, persistent, and taken seriously at the federal level.
Why This Matters for New England Business Leaders
For businesses in Boston, Providence, Worcester, Framingham, and Hartford, this issue is especially relevant. Many small and mid-sized organizations rely heavily on remote workers and contractors. These businesses may not have the same level of hiring verification or access monitoring as larger enterprises.
Remote workers support critical business functions. When identity verification is weak, the risk extends to compliance, customer trust, financial stability, and reputation. This is not about stopping remote hiring. It is about recognizing that hiring is now part of your security strategy.
Here Are Some Ways You Can Protect Yourself and Your Business
Businesses can reduce risk by making practical changes.
- Start with stronger identity verification. Use live video interviews and verify government-issued identification when appropriate. Be cautious when candidates resist reasonable verification steps.
- Limit access for remote workers. Grant only the permissions required for the role. Limit exposure for new hires until they are ready for more access.
- Ensure HR, leadership, and IT teams work together. Hiring risks do not sit in one department. Awareness and coordination are essential.
- Monitor behavior as well as credentials. Watch for unusual access patterns, unexpected data movement, or inconsistent activity. These signals should trigger further review.
- Have an internal IT worker or trusted provider monitor for suspicious activity constantly.
Want to See if Your Business is Protected?
If your business in Boston, Providence, Worcester, Framingham, or Hartford relies on remote workers, now is the time to review your hiring and access practices… and most importantly, your cybersecurity.
Schedule Your Free Cybersecurity Audit With Attain Technology and Find Your Cyber Risks Today
Why Choose Attain Technology
At Attain Technology, we have supported New England business leaders for nearly 20 years. We understand how remote work, hiring, and security intersect. Our proactive approach and human support help ensure your systems and your people are protected in a changing threat landscape.
FAQ
How are North Korean actors posing as remote workers?
They use stolen or fake identities, professional resumes, and realistic online profiles to apply for remote jobs. Some pass interviews and onboarding, then use their trusted access to company systems and data once hired.
Is this threat limited to IT jobs?
No. While many cases involve IT roles, government and threat intelligence reports confirm that North Korean actors have posed as remote workers across multiple departments, including operations, finance, customer support, and business services.
Why is remote work making this problem worse?
Remote work removes many in-person verification steps. Employers rely more on digital documents, video calls, and online profiles, which makes identity fraud harder to detect if proper verification controls are not in place.
What risks do businesses face if a fake remote worker is hired?
Risks include data theft, malware installation, financial fraud, compliance violations, and long-term insider threats. Because these individuals appear to be legitimate employees, the damage can continue for months before detection.
What is the most important step businesses can take to reduce this risk?
The most important step is strong identity verification during hiring, combined with limited system access for new hires and ongoing monitoring of remote worker activity.
