Cyberbio Convergence: Characterizing the Multiplicative Threat

Event Details
Type: 
Conference
Date: 
September 17, 2019 (All day)

The cyber and biological scientific arenas are converging rapidly. While the government recognizes that the nation is vulnerable to cyber attacks and continues to invest enormous resources into their prevention, response, and recovery, it invests far less in countering biological attacks. These two areas of science and technology are beginning to converge now, making the nation increasingly unsafe and insecure. 

On September 17, 2019, we will convene a meeting of the Study Panel, Cyberbio Convergence: Characterizing the Multiplicative Threat to inform our continuing assessment of the biological threat, specific vulnerabilities, and overwhelming consequences. Topics to be discussed at this meeting include:

  • The convergence of cyber- and biological sciences; 
  • The vulnerability of pathogen and biomanufacturing data systems; 
  • Biological risk mitigation; and 
  • The vulnerability of intellectual property and the national and global bioeconomy.

U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee, will speak before the Panel when it meets at Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. Representative Houlahan will provide the congressional perspective on the convergence of cyber- and biological sciences, and the need to address cyberbiosecurity threats. An Air Force veteran and former engineer, she has championed cybersecurity measures during her time in Congress, most recently in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.

Other speakers include academic, private, and law enforcement experts, who will share their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to cyberbiosecurity, and talk about public and private sector responsibilities to protect the nation and ensure that the U.S. bioeconomy grows unimpeded.

Objectives

Provide the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense with a better understanding of: (1) the convergence of cyber- and biological sciences; (2) the vulnerability of pathogen and biomanufacturing data systems; (3) biological risk mitigation; and (4) the vulnerability of intellectual property and the national and global bioeconomy. Provide academic, industry, and law enforcement experts with the opportunity to provide their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to cyberbiosecurity. Address public and private sector roles and responsibilities for cyberbiosecurity.

Congressional Perspective

Sitting Member of Congress will discuss the role of the Legislative Branch in ensuring that the public and private sectors work to identify and eliminate cyberbiosecurity threat and vulnerabilities.

  • Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) Member, House Committee on Armed Services, U.S. House of Representatives

Panel One - Vulnerability of Pathogen and Biomanufacturing Data Systems

Academic and private sector experts will address the vulnerability and misuse of pathogen databases, digital sequences, software to design novel DNA sequences, biomanufacturing supply chain data systems, and the use of DNA to store information.

  • Kelvin H. Lee, PhD, Director, National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals; Gore Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware
  • Christopher Oehmen, PhD,Chief Scientist, Cybersecurity Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  • John M. Clerici, JD, Principal, Tiber Creek Partners, LLC

Lunch and Video - Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History

Video from a Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense discussion of the Panel’s graphic novel, Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History. Filmed at the 2019 Awesome-Con in Washington, D.C. Features Scholar and Author of World War Z, Max Brooks, Panel Member Ken Wainstein, and Panel Executive Director Asha M. George.

Panel Two - Risk Associated with Misuse of Biotechnology

Industry and academic experts will address methods to reduce the risks associated with
misuse of emerging technologies in the life sciences, the ramifications for cyberbiosecurity, and the adequacy of federal leadership in this regard.

  • James Diggans, PhD, Director, Bioinformatics and Biosecurity, Twist Bioscience.
  • Allison Berke, PhD, Executive Director, Stanford Cyber Initiative.
  • Freeman Spogli, Institute for International Studies, Stanford University.

Panel Three – Vulnerability of Intellectual Property and the Bioeconomy

Current and former officials for two law enforcement agencies address the need to adopt robust cyberbiosecurity policies for safeguarding intellectual property and economic activity generated by research and innovation in the biological sciences.

  • Edward H. You, MS, Supervisory Special Agent, Biological Countermeasures Unit, Countermeasures and Operations Section, Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  • Peter Edge, MPA, Vice President of Corporate Security, SOS International LLC; former Acting Deputy Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.