Groundbreaking DNA sequencing technology that underpins modern medicine, cancer detection, and pandemic tracking may be vulnerable to cyberattacks, a new study warns.
Published in IEEE Access, the research raises alarms over the cyber-biosecurity risks facing next-generation sequencing (NGS) systems, which process vast amounts of sensitive genetic data. Led by Dr. Nasreen Anjum of the University of Portsmouth, the study is the first to examine security threats across the entire NGS workflow, Caliber.Az reports via website, covering science news.
NGS enables rapid and affordable sequencing of DNA and RNA, fueling progress in precision medicine, agriculture, and forensic science. But its complex systems—from sample preparation to data interpretation—rely on interconnected technologies that could be exploited by hackers. Dr. Anjum said: "Our work is a wake-up call. Protecting genomic data isn’t just about encryption - it’s about anticipating attacks that don’t yet exist. We need a paradigm shift in how we secure the future of precision medicine."
The research highlights potential threats, including synthetic DNA carrying malware, AI-driven manipulation of genome data, and re-identification techniques that could trace anonymous DNA back to individuals. Dr. Mahreen-Ul-Hassan, a microbiologist and co-author from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, emphasized the risks: "Genomic data is one of the most personal forms of data we have. If compromised, the consequences go far beyond a typical data breach.”
Despite its importance, the study notes that cyber-biosecurity remains under-researched and poorly coordinated across disciplines. Dr. Anjum added: “Despite its importance, cyber-biosecurity remains one of the most neglected and poorly understood research disciplines and is leaving a critical gap in global biosecurity..." The team urges immediate action, recommending secure sequencing protocols, encrypted storage, and AI-powered anomaly detection as vital steps forward. The research was supported by the British Council’s UK-Saudi Challenge Fund and a University of Portsmouth grant.
By Naila Huseynova
Source: caliber.az
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