Human brainwaves could become the latest line of defence against cyber hackers – using technology that would allow internet users to log in to email or social media accounts using the power of their mind.
At Ideas Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the ease with which attackers could access confidential data was laid bare.
Even two-factor authentication, when an internet user is sent a code over text message for example to complete a log-in or transaction, can pose little difficulty to many hackers according to Kevin Mitnick, who spent five years in an American jail for computer crimes and is now an adviser on computer security.
However, a solution may lie in mobilising the brain, according to Betsy Cooper, policy director at the Aspen Institute, one of the organisers of the festival, and a cyber security expert.
Thinking of a specific 'password' phrase creates the same pattern of brainwaves in a person every time they do it, she said, which could then be analysed to unlock a phone or login to accounts.
There are three factors – the physical device in your ear, the phrase you have to think, and the third is the repeatable pattern of brainwaves
She said a team at the University of California in Berkeley, where she previously worked, are busy working on the technology, which although still in testing phases, is becoming closer to reality.
The global cost of criminal hacking was estimated to be $600 billion in 2017, or about 0.8 per cent of global GDP, meaning that potential breakthrough could bring huge economic benefit to governments, companies and individuals.
“You take a little device, it looks like an earbud you use for your iPhone, you stick it in your ear,” she said. “You create a pass phrase, a sentence, and if you think the same phrase, there is a repeatable set of brainwaves you can use.
“So there are three factors there – the first is the physical device in your ear, the second is the phrase you have to think, and the third is the repeatable pattern of brainwaves.
“So if I had ‘Mary had a little lamb’ as my passphrase, I can take that and it will only allow me to login if the actual waves match. If I think ‘three blind men’ I would get a different set of lines.”
In a session on cyber warfare and security, even fingerprints can be replicated with a high-definition photo and a 3D printer, it was claimed.
Ms Cooper said the ability to change the password phrase – and therefore the brainwave pattern acting as a password – is another benefit of using the brain to log in.
“The key point is changeability. With a lot of biometrics, your fingerprint, your gait, facial recognition, if someone is able to hack that pattern you’re done. The great thing about something like brainwaves is it’s changeable, so I think we need to focus on new methods of authentication.”
However, Mr Mitnik raised concerns, saying hackers may just be able to simply access and replicate the brain wave pattern to access systems.
“Usually attackers don’t go with the front door,” he said. “They find alternate routes. So what type of replay mitigation has been incorporated into the product? Could they just replay someone’s brain wave pattern?”
Other potential problems include consumption of substances such as caffeine or alcohol may alter brain waves, making it harder to log in as they can interfere with the pattern of waves produced.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
The Details
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