Bionic cybersecurity: Protecting digitally-augmented humans

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• July 14, 2022

Insight summary

Bionic augmentations are transforming healthcare by enhancing human abilities, but they also bring significant cybersecurity risks that could impact health and privacy. This evolving field leads to new job sectors, the need for enhanced security measures, and changes in laws and insurance policies to safeguard against potential cyber threats. As these technologies become more prevalent, they could create societal challenges, including increased inequality and ethical dilemmas around augmentation and privacy.

Bionic cybersecurity context

Biological augmentation through a range of emerging technologies allows humans to artificially enhance or “upgrade” their bodies to improve physical or mental capabilities. The biometric data these tools collect and generate may become increasingly valuable as these technologies enter wider public use. According to a poll published in 2021 by security firm Kaspersky, over half of respondents (46.5 percent) felt people should be permitted to modify themselves with wearable or implantable technologies. However, 39 percent of respondents were concerned that augmentation might lead to conflict or societal inequity. 

Bionic augmentation is a field that has primarily focused on providing mobility and improving the quality of life for people who have lost limbs, are paralyzed, or are unable to utilize their bodies entirely. For example, modern bionic limbs can flex their digits and revolve on hinges using electrical impulses created by muscle tissue. Soon, such prosthetics will be controlled directly by a wearer’s thoughts using a brain-computer interface (BCI) implant. While the ethical implications of modifying the bodies of persons with disabilities are limited or even positive, a more significant moral burden exists when applying these technologies to enhance able-bodied individuals.  

 

However, in the context of this report, bionic augmentations and prosthetics may become vulnerable to cybercriminals who want to steal the private biometric data gathered by these tools, hold it for ransom or sell it on the black market. As bionic tools and augmentations increasingly leverage data processing and analytics on a micro-scale, the threat of intrusion by cybercriminals and hackers will only grow.

Disruptive impact

The increasing use of bionic devices like artificial eyes, BCI chips, digital pacemakers, and digital diabetes monitors presents significant cybersecurity risks. Hackers gaining unauthorized access to these devices could have severe health implications for users and breach their privacy by accessing sensitive information. This scenario highlights the urgent need for cybersecurity firms and technology companies to develop advanced protective measures. These measures are crucial not only for safeguarding the health and privacy of individuals but also for maintaining public trust in bionic technologies.

On the insurance front, the risk of cyber-hacks in bionic augmentations presents a new challenge. Insurance companies are likely to respond by offering specialized policies to cover damages and losses resulting from such hacks. These policies would provide financial protection for individuals, helping to mitigate the risks associated with using these advanced technologies. Furthermore, the emergence of these insurance products could incentivize technology developers to prioritize the security features of their devices, as more secure devices might lead to lower insurance premiums.

Finally, the potential misuse of bionic devices by surveillance agencies poses a significant threat to personal privacy and civil liberties. This issue may prompt lawmakers to introduce new regulations governing the use and security of bionic augmentations. These laws could dictate where and how such devices can be utilized in public spaces and require specific safety and security features to prevent unauthorized access. 

Implications of bionic devices being targeted for cybercrime

Wider implications of the bionic augmentation industry becoming more data-reliant and open to hacking and cybersecurity breaches may include:

• Development of a specialized sector in healthcare, insurance, and cybersecurity, dedicated to servicing and protecting bionic augmentations, leading to new job opportunities and market growth.


• Collaboration between government intelligence agencies and the technology and healthcare sectors to strengthen the security of augmentation devices against international cyber threats, enhancing national security.


• Rise of new criminal activities involving bionic devices, including unauthorized surveillance and remote harm, necessitating advanced legal frameworks and law enforcement training.


• Creation of tailored insurance products to cover risks associated with bionic augmentations, leading to more comprehensive protection for consumers but potentially higher insurance costs.


• Adoption of new educational curricula and training programs in universities and technical institutes to equip the future workforce with skills in bionic technology and cybersecurity.


• Shift in consumer preferences towards companies that prioritize the security and ethical use of bionic technologies, influencing corporate policies and branding strategies.


• Governments enacting stricter regulations on the use and security of bionic devices to protect citizens, impacting the pace of technological development and market entry for new devices.

Questions to consider

• Do you believe able-bodied individuals should be allowed to access and use bionic alterations? 


• Who is best placed to regulate the bionic augmentation industry? Private companies, lawmakers, or independent bodies?