GENEINFOSEC INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF211-CSO1

Description

Genetic data is generated by a DNA sequencer, which converts molecular information into electronic bits. This information is incredibly valuable, and has applications in healthcare, human performance and monitoring pandemics. Unfortunately, cybersecurity has not been a major focus for genetic researchers and companies, placing this sensitive data at risk for exfiltration or modification. The future of our bioeconomy, our healthcare and our pandemic response relies on these systems being secure, but challenges with lab device security can be difficult to address. Our research with Prof. Aaron Hansen on lab vulnerabilities indicated a widespread problem.  Addressing this problem without completely overhauling the lab infrastructure is nearly impossible, everything would need to be rebuilt from the ground up. However, GeneInfoSec offers a novel solution that protects genetic data even when insecure lab systems are used.  Our first pending patent offers a method by which segments of DNA from different samples are given unique and secure tags. After pooling these uniquely tagged samples with each other and with uniquely tagged decoy DNA molecules, genetic data produced by a sequencer is no longer identifiable and has necessary sensitive information concealed. Our second patent provides a way to manufacture these security tags for almost nothing, allowing for wide-spread adoption of our approach. All of these information systems will use our proprietary software to securely share and access the data.   Future tech development will include advanced molecular cryptographic methods, improving the obfuscation provided by the decoy molecules, eventually leading to molecular cryptographic systems that approach the security provided by full-disk encryption. Initially, the application of this technology will utilize traditional lab methods and lab technicians. As our company develops we will begin building bench-top automated machinery so that no expertise is required to apply our molecular cryptographic techniques. The data systems generated with our approach will also allow anonymous data sharing, which has great value in both genetic research as well as industry, allowing genetic data to be shared securely between institutions.  These approaches are desperately needed, as we are currently under increased cyber attacks focused on our health care and genetic data. Working with USAF stakeholders as early customers, we can build this technology to fit the needs of our service members, as their genetic data deserves the highest level of protection. We will also work towards price reduction and commercial availability because protecting the genetic information of the entire country is necessary to protect against biowarfare.