CSC Report Highlights Rising Threat of Executive Impersonation and Online IP Infringements

Impersonation, phishing, and domain-name abuse have emerged as the most pressing forms of online intellectual property (IP) infringement, according to CSC’s The State of Online IP Risk 2026 report. The report identifies internet and branded content, online marketplaces, and paid search as the primary channels targeted by cybercriminals.

The findings are based on a survey conducted in the second quarter of 2026 involving 300 senior executives specializing in intellectual property law. These professionals highlighted the increasing complexity and volume of IP infringements affecting organizations worldwide.

Mary Jo Murphy, Product Manager for Brand and Fraud services at CSC, emphasized the tangible impacts of such infringements. “There are revenue impacts when counterfeiters advertise and sell goods that appear to be yours but aren’t. This activity can also affect consumer trust, especially when you’re talking about the risk to safety with products such as pharmaceuticals or car parts,” she explained.

The survey revealed that 27% of respondents observed a significant increase in IP infringements over the past year. Looking ahead, 52% anticipate a further substantial rise in the next three years, driven by the growing variety and volume of attacks. Murphy noted that third-party specialists are often essential for organizations to marshal the global resources necessary to combat these threats effectively.

Elliott Champion, Global Product Director for Brand Protection at CSC, cited a notable example of a sophisticated scam linked to Fashion Week. The fraud promised exclusive access to runway-show tickets, private shopping, dress rentals, photo shoots, and service packages, requesting payment exclusively in Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. This campaign illustrated how attackers tailor scams to specific industries and interests.

Among the categories experiencing the most frequent targeting, internet and branded content topped the list, with 28% of respondents reporting increases in infringements. Online marketplaces and paid search platforms followed closely behind.

Cybercriminals exploit these channels by creating malicious advertising templates and deploying hundreds of ads across social networks. Despite the costs associated with ad placement, this strategy enables them to reach vast audiences effectively.

A growing concern is executive impersonation on professional networking sites such as LinkedIn. Fake chief executives contact users with fraudulent job offers, harvesting personal information that can facilitate subsequent attacks.

The expansion of online retail beyond established marketplaces to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook has further complicated IP protection. Consumers increasingly purchase products through advertisements on these platforms, broadening the scope of channels that organizations must monitor.

Web content, marketplaces, and paid search remain attractive to criminals because they are highly visible, trusted by consumers, and challenging to monitor at scale. Impersonation attacks exacerbate the risk by combining technical abuse with social engineering tactics that exploit human trust.

CSC’s analysis of domain registrations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup uncovered 65,590 third-party domains containing “FIFA” registered between January 2022 and April 2026. Registration activity peaked following the confirmation of the final teams. While some domains were registered lawfully, others were linked to fraudulent ticket sales, travel and accommodation offers, merchandise, streaming services, and giveaways designed to steal personal or payment information.

Looking forward, AI governance is expected to become increasingly critical as criminals leverage artificial intelligence to enhance attacks involving intellectual property. AI enables the creation of convincing digital copies of assets, including logos and even people’s voices, making fraudulent content and impersonation more believable and easier to distribute.

Murphy described the global regulatory environment as fragmented. European regulators lead efforts to address various forms of abuse, while the United States sees emerging regulation primarily at the state level. The federal government may eventually adopt an approach similar to the European Union’s.

Regulatory issues and penalties were identified by 66% of respondents as significant consequences of intellectual property infringement.

Concerns also extend to the domain name system. ICANN’s 2026 application round for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) raised alarms among respondents. The leading concern, cited by 60%, was the cost of defensive registrations across an expanding domain namespace. Additionally, 58% worried about increased cybersquatting and brand-infringing registrations under new domain extensions.

Overall, the report underscores the evolving and multifaceted nature of online IP threats. Organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in deploying comprehensive brand protection strategies to safeguard their intellectual property in an increasingly complex digital landscape.