IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2015 - 47

Some of the most technologically
Brain-Computer Interface
interesting ideas presented in these
works include early forms of augmentSignal Processing
ed/virtual realities, brain-to-brain comDigitized
Signal
Feature
Translation
munication through BCIs, and how
Acquisition
Signal
Extraction
Algorithm
skills and memories can potentially be
distributed or downloaded. For example, Neuromancer by William Gibson
Neural Signals
[25] featured characters with extensive
Neuroprosthesis
cybernetic enhancements and enviControl
sioned networked virtual realities accesNeuroprosthesis
sible through brain-computer interfaces.
Sensory
The Borg in Star Trek [12] are illustrated
Neural
Feedback
as a space-faring cyborg society where
Spelling
individuality has been replaced with a
P300 Speller
hive-mind enabled through widespread
brain-to-brain communication. AnothNeurogame
er example is the animated TV series
Control
Neurogame
Ghost in the Shell, which features a
wide cast of police and combat cyborgs
who can utilize an array of download- Figure 1. A high-level block diagram of a typical brain-computer interface. A user's
neural signals are recorded, processed and decoded in a BCI. Decoded messages are
able skills as specific as rifle-based midthen used to control the environment.
range sniping [11]. Much of this body of
literature, animation, and film is cautionIn the future, it will become increasingly difficult to
ary, pointing out potential dangers and pitfalls. But some
justify not having devices able to communicate with
optimistically explore new potential social and societal
the outside world. Imagine an implant in our brain with
interactions based on these technologies, through strong
all of the capabilities of a contemporary smart phone
characters and plots.
(e.g., search, navigation, translation, face recognition, to
One common thread throughout the genre is potential
name a few), and the possibilities that immediately presproblems with the security of these systems, or more interent themselves with such a device. However, the only
estingly, the possible lack thereof. For example, the storyway for such a device to be safe and secure is to archiline of Shirow's Ghost in the Shell [37] is driven primarily
tect it as such from the start. Unfortunately, there is no
by a string of cyber-brain hacking where individuals' memhistorical precedent for a secure communication system
ories or even identities are altered for malicious purposes.
to spontaneously arise from a technological field. This
In the recent video game Deus Ex: Human Revolution [4],
is something the BCI community needs to be aware of.
a character involuntarily commits suicide after a hacker
Recent technological history teaches us how important
half a world away takes control of his body and overrides
it is to include security and privacy considerations into the
muscular commands. While the BCI technology presented
design process, presenting us with numerous examples
in these works is incredibly exciting, these attacks are by
of how hard it is to incorporate security methods into a
their nature unsettling.
system after it has already been compromised. Even today,
Influence of Other Cyber and Cyber-Physical Systems
the Internet, computer, and mobile environments are rife
Applying cybernetics to interface the human mind with
with malware and private information leaks. The foundamachines enables our minds to control our physical
tions of these systems were not designed with security
environment. At the same time, it opens up the possibilin mind, and as such they have become hostile environity of losing control of our own bodies. This is a terrifyments that users have to navigate. If consumer devices
ing prospect that may be a barrier to end-user adoption
with no biological interface cannot be securely developed,
of these technologies.
how will users have confidence in a system that interfaces
Current medical devices typically rely on the proximity
with their bodies and brains?
or wired communication between (implanted) devices and
Our Approach
practitioners' control interfaces to decrease the potential for
Security and privacy threats arising from the use of existmalicious attacks. But this is not enough to provide security.
ing and future exocotices, such as BCI-enabled devices,
Researchers have recently showed that insulin pumps [33],
do not yet pose a critical concern, given their fairly limited
[36] and pacemakers [20] can be remotely compromised.

september 2015

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IEEE TEchnology and SocIETy MagazInE

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2015