Stardate: The future. Scenario: North America is under attack from a highly skilled group of cybercriminals intent on bringing down major Internet exchange points. In a federal cybersecurity operations center, the commanding officer, whose brain has been augmented with powerful stimulation to the areas that control stress response and interpretation of external events, is able to spot the key deceptive elements in the cyber attack. With the help of a special helmet-style simulation display, the commander counters the attack expertly.
Science fiction? Not quite. U.S. researchers are exploring the potential for Cyborg-type solutions to national and cyber security problems.
Translation: By combining systems engineering, psychology, and physiology, particularly the study of brain signal activity, the researchers hope to achieve a better understanding of predictive patterns of thought and behavior.
Their goal is to identify ways to enhance the brains of human team members through brain stimulation aimed at improving their abilities to withstand stress, act quickly, and track their online enemies better than humans normally can.
Team members also would be aided by real-time simulation of the cyber landscape to deflect hidden or concealed malware and botnets. The result would be a "human cyber team" capable of defending a nation or major establishments in the case of cyberwarfare or large-scale DDoS and viral attacks.
The researchers are particularly focused on problem solving. In the field of cybercrime and cyberwarfare, the greatest weakness is the very human inability to interpret the complex communications and deceptive techniques used by cybercriminals. With advances in brain measurement, researchers should be able to better understand what parts of the brain are calling the shots during cyber attacks.
The two key tools used by the MRN include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magneto-encephalography (MEG). Researchers are using these techniques, combined with computer modeling and simulation, cortical brain stimulation, and genetic studies, to investigate how the brain functions and how it can be made to perform better for the safety, security, and reliability of cyber security operations.
Military interest in brain research is nothing new. A report published in 2008, "Emerging Cognitive Neuroscience and Related Technologies," describes various military applications of drug therapies -- such as "cognition enhancers" in the form of certain drugs -- and touches on the development of neuroscience as an aid in the effort.
It has long been known that direct electrical and/or magnetic pulsing applied to the brain can temporarily change behavior, but recent research looks at the effect of pulsed stimulation when it is applied to specific parts of the brain -- during, for instance, chaotic situations. A "quick fix" approach could involve a simple form of trans-cranial magnetic stimulation to improve attention or to reduce cognitive deficits associated with fatigue.
So could we soon see such stimulation replacing chemicals like nicotine and those endless cups of coffee?
Of course, there are many ethical issues surrounding this kind of emerging cyborg-type technology. It might be easy to dismiss such approaches as being the dawning of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World or of Hollywood's famous cyborgs like Darth Vader.
However, it has been said science fiction reflects future realities.
Indeed, the innovative and futuristic approaches being explored by the UNM scientists and others could allow us to regain the upper-hand over cyber attackers. At the very least, the provision of helmet-attached displays to augment users' interpretation of the cyber battleground in real-time would be a step up from the analysis and modeling of previous behavioral and attack techniques that experts now rely on in battling DDoS, mass malware injections, etc.
Further, for those of us who have witnessed or studied more recent, widespread cyber attacks, it is easy to consider that cyber criminal elements are already perhaps using such techniques against us.
— Jart Armin, Editor of RBNexploit.com, a watch blog on the infamous RBN (Russian Business Network), and HostExploit.com
To protect all our Online Networks and data out there;Unfortunately this is the only way possible.We need to protect our Assets and this seems like the best way to make it happen.
The rate at which threats,etc is increasing currently is mind-numbingly large.And so many blended threats exist out there today;that they go beyond what a normal human being can process or understand.This where this Neur0 whatever comes in.
Strangely enough I don't read Wired. Let's put it this way, man in general has been known to occasionally seek to enhance their natural talents by artificial means, whether through medication or other means. I don't underestimate the natural abilities of the brain. I am curious what tools or training do you propose to improve a brain's ability to comprehend data
"I think the value of brain augmentation in the scenario that Jart described is not necessarily transferring someone's brain power in your own, but enhancing the ability of a person's own brain to comprehend extremely large data sets and large quantities of data input and make sense of it all in order to take smart decisions, as quickly as possible."
Funny, like the search for Spock's brain? Not necessarily? Did you read too many WIRED magazines? Yeah, and teleportation is just around the corner, and computers plan to enslave humanity once they gain consciousness.
I wouldn't underestimate what the "brain" is capable of without augmentation, all you need is good tools and training to comprehend lots of data.
I think the value of brain augmentation in the scenario that Jart described is not necessarily transferring someone's brain power in your own, but enhancing the ability of a person's own brain to comprehend extremely large data sets and large quantities of data input and make sense of it all in order to take smart decisions, as quickly as possible.
Trying to "augment" the brain is a waste of time. What we will prove eventually--I believe--the mush in our head is not a self-contained computer with "memory" cells and such. Sure, you can zap the neurological spout and claim you found a reservoir of memories--but in that case you only proved your limited thinking. Our best ideas don't originate internally. If you are a self-contained computer, wanting enhancement, there is your disabled thinking right there.
Think of the smartest people you know--did they need the added distraction of augmentation to create, discover whatever masterful thing? The best "brain augmentation" is education, training, experience, observation, etc. If I'm really good at something, let me explain it, let me show you what I do--there's no need for a brain scan. Scanning Picasso's brain won't make you a better painter--you only need to look at his paintings. All the information you need is right there under your nose.
If you want to catch some kind of cyberpunk fantasy hacker, the best solution is visualizations, maps, graphics--look for patterns. For example, I bet Google has nice maps to detect click fraud.
Yes, I agree that using cybernetics to enhance decision making would be a very big step in the right direction. I was just reading Dorothy Denning on Information Warfare and Security and she mentions brain chips being used to enhance various brain functions. But she goes on to say that what if you could compromise and manipulate those brain chips themselves, that would potentially open up new forms of psychological operations.
If we assume that systems are essentially vulnerable and attackable, attacking the electronic systems that support your decision making command and control would be a very high priority for an enemy force. What if an attacker was able to manipulate the signals or inpulses going into the cybernetically connected brain of a decision-maker? That would take brain control to a new level!
Really good analysis and you actually get down to the reason why such systems have a future i.e. “would need, near encyclopedic knowledge off all possible attacks patterns” = yes!
This is exactly one of the main requirements in the real world cyber defense scenarios that are currently missing, and can only be performed by computer modeling.
Think of it this way, when using man/machine enhancements (cyborg) in war game scenarios or flying an attack helicopter the heads up display provides model of the terrain, or positioning of the enemy for example.
Within a cyber defense environment what is also needed is a “model of the terrain or battlefield” this may be different from conventional military formats but conceptually the same. To be able to quickly interpret botnet signatures, malware formats, DDoS techniques, and overlay these for a human cyber defender, to enhance decision making would be extremely helpful?
Your article raises a number of apparently innovative approaches to the analysis of attacks against systems. But I am not sure how the cyborg method would work in practice. John Boyd's OODA loop is a good framework to use to use in analysing responses to attacks. In order to achieve information superiority over a computer criminal, your OODA loop has to be faster than the opponents. What you are essentially saying is that the cyborg approach will make our OODA loop go much faster than the bad guys? While I accept that enhancing brain patterns could potentially increase a person's ability to analyse and draw patterns from disparate events, but that would also mean that the person would also need to have a near encyclopaedic knowledge off all possible attacks patterns. Or would the cyborg only be required to take decisions on information feed from boundary protection systems, logs, IDSes and so on?
No biggie....I don't get flu shots. And I have not gotten sick since I started on Vitamin C daily 10 years ago (Which by the way, we are told that "C" preventing colds and flu is just a myth and only the shots work!)
If you look back in history, there have been, and probably still are experimentations going on with some people (not the entire population), without their knowledge. It is not a "tin foil hat", it is the reality of ANY government, any country.
I really have to laugh a bit with those who think this doesn't go on in real life. Is the scenario in the original article a possible future reality? Well...maybe. But I would say probably not. However human experimentation in one form or another, without the participants knowledge, although I would hope it is limited, does go on and will most likely continue. It is not paranoia, it is reality.
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