Identity misuse and brand impersonation are now among the fastest-growing enablers of digital fraud. Criminals no longer rely solely on clumsy email campaigns and fake crude counterfeits instead they such big business that countries in East Asia are fuelling their economy on their profits. Approaches to digital fraud include the cloning of websites as well as the reproduction of certification marks. This is particular rife in the academic sector and counterfeit degrees and educational qualifications are increasing causing administration headaches in further education. For membership bodies, professional accreditation organisations and Universities, this presents a serious risk: when anyone can copy a logo, the value of genuine accreditation is undermined.
Membership organisations, have been quick to react to this with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) implementing a digital certificate. This was sent out to all their members as part of their rebranding strategy in 2025. Additionally the membership organisation Sustainability West Midlands (SWM) are also engaging with a digital twin certificate provider called Sigalmark to provide each of their members a unique registered logo that promotes trust in their brand by providing a tamper proof certificate confirming that the organisation is part of their membership. Using blockchain technology this approach enables members to scan the displayed logo and obtain instant verification. This capability directly supports organisations seeking stronger brand protection, both in service to their members and to protect their reputation. As Anna Bright, CEO of Sustainability West Midlands, explains: “Sigalmark allows us to protect our brand integrity and reassure partners that every organisation displaying the SWM logo has been genuinely verified.”
The urgency for these safeguards is clear, and not just for membership organisations. Any organisation, from professional services to further education providers are taking note of recent updates by fraud prevention organisations. Cifas’ Fraudscape 2025 reports over 217,000 cases of identity-related fraud in just the first half of the year, driven by increasingly sophisticated impersonation techniques. Alongside this, the International Trademark Report 2025 highlights a global surge in trademark misuse, counterfeit mark reproduction and fraudulent use of professional logos – warning that trust-based industries are particularly exposed.
Together these reports show a consistent message: brand identity is now a frontline target for criminals. Technological innovation is now a requirement to combat the erosion of trust that the public needs to make safe and informed decisions about how to engage with professional services. The need for investment in digital infrastructure is going to be a must rather than a nice to have for maintaining credibility and protecting the reputation of anchor institutions.
About the author
Clare Chapman is the CEO and founder of Sigalmark, a digital twin certification company enabling certifying institutions to enforce their brand integrity and reduce administration costs.
