Cyberbiosecurity: An Emerging New Discipline to Help Safeguard the Bioeconomy

Area of Science:

• * Integrative science focusing on biological and biomedical systems.
• * Interdisciplinary approach combining cybersecurity, cyber-physical security, and biosecurity.

Background:

• * Increasing vulnerabilities in biological and biomedical systems necessitate enhanced security measures.
• * Current efforts lack a systematic structure for communication, education, and policy development.
• * A knowledge gap exists between cybersecurity and biosecurity experts, hindering collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To propose Cyberbiosecurity as a formal discipline integrating cybersecurity and biosecurity.
• * To establish a structured framework for protecting the bioeconomy.
• * To foster collaboration and mutual understanding between cybersecurity and biosecurity professionals.

Main Methods:

• * Review of recent meetings, publications, and activities related to cybersecurity and biosecurity.
• * Analysis of vulnerabilities in biological and biomedical systems.
• * Examination of biomanufacturing facilities to assess Cyberbiosecurity's scope.

Main Results:

• * Identification of significant vulnerabilities in biological and biomedical systems.
• * Highlighting the need for a systematic approach to address these vulnerabilities.
• * Demonstrating the potential of Cyberbiosecurity to bridge the gap between related security domains.

Conclusions:

• * Cyberbiosecurity offers a structured approach to enhance the security of biological systems.
• * Formalizing this discipline will promote communication, education, and policy development.
• * Recommendations are provided to establish Cyberbiosecurity as a sustainable enterprise.