A Review of Threat Vectors to DNA Sequencing Pipelines

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Bioinformatics is a steadily growing field that focuses on the intersection of biology with computer science. Tools and techniques developed within this field are quickly becoming fixtures in genomics, forensics, epidemiology, and bioengineering. The development and analysis of DNA sequencing and synthesis have enabled this significant rise in demand for bioinformatic tools. Notwithstanding, these bioinformatic tools have developed in a research context free of significant cybersecurity threats. With the significant growth of the field and the commercialization of genetic information, this is no longer the case. This paper examines the bioinformatic landscape through reviewing the biological and cybersecurity threats within the bioinformatics pipeline. It is found that there are significant security deficits within existing bioinformatic databases. Additionally, it is found that there is a theoretical trojan threat posed by unverified malicious DNA sequences.

Presenting Author Name/s

Tyler Rector

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Shobha Vatsa

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Cybersecurity

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Bioinformatics | Biology | Databases and Information Systems | Information Security

Session Title

Poster Session

Location

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Start Date

3-30-2024 8:30 AM

End Date

3-30-2024 10:00 AM

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Mar 30th, 8:30 AM Mar 30th, 10:00 AM

A Review of Threat Vectors to DNA Sequencing Pipelines

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Bioinformatics is a steadily growing field that focuses on the intersection of biology with computer science. Tools and techniques developed within this field are quickly becoming fixtures in genomics, forensics, epidemiology, and bioengineering. The development and analysis of DNA sequencing and synthesis have enabled this significant rise in demand for bioinformatic tools. Notwithstanding, these bioinformatic tools have developed in a research context free of significant cybersecurity threats. With the significant growth of the field and the commercialization of genetic information, this is no longer the case. This paper examines the bioinformatic landscape through reviewing the biological and cybersecurity threats within the bioinformatics pipeline. It is found that there are significant security deficits within existing bioinformatic databases. Additionally, it is found that there is a theoretical trojan threat posed by unverified malicious DNA sequences.