Summary
In “Hacking Humans: Protecting Our DNA From Cybercriminals,” Juliette Rizkallah
addresses the increasingly grim outlook of cybersecurity threats to genetic data; emphasizing the
urgent need for stronger protective measures. A characteristic that makes genetic data especially
enticing for cybercriminals is that it is distinct and permanent. Once obtained, such information
is suitable for identity theft, discrimination in employment or insurance, and highly focused
social engineering attacks. While several consumer genetic testing services exist today, many
organizations involved in handling genetic data fall short when it comes to security measures and
protocols, leaving that data open for breaches (Rizkallah, 2018). Rizkallah’s view is that robust
mechanisms, including encryption, strict access control, employee training, regular audits, etc.,
are required for the effective cybersecurity of genetic data. Furthermore, she also argues that
there should be stronger government regulations to protect genetic data from exploitation.
Conclusion
Data protection is important these days in healthcare, ancestry research, and personalized
medicine with the rise in demand for genetic testing. When one considers DNA data without
proper cybersecurity measures, he/she risks creating irrevocable exposure for themselves, which
potentially has heavy lifelong consequences. Organizations need to begin prioritizing security by
increasing encryption strength and regulatory compliance, while individuals should be careful with their genetic data-sharing decisions. Governments have a major role to play in implementing stringent policies against abuse. The future of genetic privacy also depends on all stakeholders acting to ensure that all genetic information can be secured against cyber threats.

References
Rizkallah, J. (2018, November 29). Hacking humans: Protecting our DNA from cybercriminals.
Forbes. https://drive.google.com/file/d/17vZTrd3tyRkIuXtLfYKSeZypU7WpCkmM/view