Neural Device Compromise

Definition

Neural Device Compromise examines unauthorised access or control affecting neural device confidentiality, integrity or function within the broader domain of the protection of neural devices, signals, identities and interfaces from attack, compromise and unsafe failure.

Why this matters

Failures concerning unauthorised access or control affecting neural device confidentiality, integrity or function can cause physical or psychological harm, loss of function, privacy invasion, identity compromise, exclusion, coercion or irreversible impact on human agency.

Research questions

Under which conditions can unauthorised access or control affecting neural device confidentiality, integrity or function be delivered, measured or protected reliably, and how do outcomes vary by person, device, duration, context and governance controls?

Hypotheses

A transparent, safety-bounded and person-centred approach to neural device compromise, combining validated measurement, informed consent, privacy and security controls, human oversight and longitudinal monitoring, will improve benefit–risk outcomes compared with opaque or technology-centred approaches.

Proposed methods

cybersecurity threat modelling; penetration testing; signal spoofing simulation; adversarial input testing; device-failure analysis; red-team exercises; incident-response drills; expert and affected-user review; reproducibility testing; methods adapted specifically to Neural Device Compromise

Stakeholders and beneficiaries

neurotechnology users; clinicians; manufacturers; cybersecurity teams; regulators; hospitals; researchers; carers; emergency responders