Next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) is revolutionizing medicine and research, paving the way for personalized treatments and cancer diagnostics. But this cutting-edge technology could also become a playground for cybercriminals, as highlighted in a groundbreaking study published in IEEE Access.

The Alarming Vulnerabilities of NGS

This study, spearheaded by Dr. Nasreen Anjum from the University of Portsmouth, dives deep into the potential cyber-biosecurity threats lurking within the NGS workflow. While NGS fuels major advancements in areas like drug development and forensic science, its complex process creates numerous vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.

A Recipe for Disaster?

The sequencing workflow encompasses multiple critical steps, from preparing samples to analyzing data, each relying on specialized technologies that are interconnected. With a growing number of DNA datasets available online, the research warns of the dire consequences if this information falls into the wrong hands, leading to possible abuses for surveillance, manipulation, or even bioweapon testing.

A Call to Action