Tools and Tactics

Some of these machine-based data analysis tools such as Cell Profiler have now evolved from individualistic feature-based characterisation to analysing multiple features like DNA staining, organelle texture and quality of empty cases-based cell sorting. In a similar way, Deep Variant has evolved from genomic information processing to image-based analysis. Google’s TensorFlow (open platform for deep learning algorithms); Atom wise (visualise molecules into 3D pixels referred to as voxels, provides atom- based interactions); answer ALS (a consortium-based approach to combine genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, imaging and pluripotent stem cell population to target neuro degenerative diseases) and Contour (clustering of cellular imaging on the basis of trends rather than mortality factor alone) etc., are some remarkable newly evolving Deep Algorithm tools.

The over fitting of the model to its training data, which in turn is huge in size, poses a challenge to find ways to classify data to train it more efficiently. Computers have learned to find the needle (required information) in a haystack (huge database)which we as humans fail to identify and process.

During data analysis earlier, we were keeping experimental variations constant, but now with input tools like adding environment design, multiple controls etc., the perspective of data processing has changed completely. Present elaborate databases are analogous to our DNA in which most part looks repetitive and to know exactly why it is there, critical data screening and processing is required by new tools which further get improved through the acquired information and are better prepared for next generation of data.

Also Read: The Vulnerability of Medical Institutions to Cyber Attacks

Human intelligence is a complex simulation outcome of twelve characteristic features that include perception, resolving problems, learn, reason, abstract, plan,decide, understand, feel, act, create, and finally communicate. The human brain can be compared to a processor which processes these features using eight mental mechanisms which include imagery, concepts, rules, analogy, emotions, actions based on intentions, language, and consciousness. These twenty features (twelve characteristic features and eight mechanisms), taken together present the evaluating benchmarks for current AI. The major flaw in our current AI system compared to human intelligence is its limited ability in terms of abstracting and understanding with no feelings. However, AI is expanding its knowledge and processing in an exponential manner. Human-made AI now understands more than its earlier versions. AI is forecasted to pass through phases of knowledge engineering, machine-learning, and contextual marginalisation. It is like acting by rules, making new rules, learning to act again, to evolve new rules.

A simple AI tool such as a calculator can enable a person to use arithmetic for him/her. AI is now providing solutions in natural language processing, complex data sets for agriculture variables, etc.

However, unlike a calculator, it is yet to be accessible both in terms of tools, data set and skill for the public. Networking of multiple disciplines and protected commercial data with limited accessibility are major hurdles in the process. India is getting digitized in a fast manner. Adding Aadhar *unique identification number* was the major step followed by demonetization. As per CIS (India) of 2018, AI will add 957 billion USD by 2035. Health IT is booming with new start-ups every day, but the challenge is integration under streamlined vision. It is important to understand that any solution is sustainable with a participatory approach as exhibited by the evolution of telecommunication globally. Our basic education system is extremely diverse across the country with varied types of public and private players. The variation in state wise curriculum especially other than language is questionable. We can still choose Biology or Mathematics as separate options at our higher secondary education. This itself kicks out the possibility of emerging computational biologists in the future. It took almost ten years to build the world’s largest neuromorphic (neuron-like) computer Dubbed Spiking Neural Network Architecture (SpiNNaker) at the University of Manchester. This machine rethinks the way a conventional computer works. Its major objective is to support existing partial brain models of the cortex, basal ganglia, etc. It can manage 200 quadrillion tasks simultaneously. Still, we have reached only 1 percent of human brain capability that too with many simplified assumptions in the process. SpiNNaker is more comparable to mouse brain which is 1000x times smaller than the human brain. Although we need to explore more to understand the human brain and how it functions but once it is decoded any universal Turing machine can be turned to mimic human cortex actions. Intelligent and super-intelligent machines are our future and will make our life more convenient. Still, there are numerous challenges and ethical issues during these developments. We are moving towards a stage where time will become the ultimate currency governing all the aspects of human life.

About the author

Dr. Sarita Jaiswal, an ex-research officer at University of Saskatchewan, Canada, is an accomplished Plat Scientist having 15+ years of R&D experience with specialization in cereal and pulse crop biochemistry and genomics. She has been awarded twice for the category of Young Scientist (Indian Society of Plant Physiology and amp; KK Nanda Foundation for Advancement of Plant Sciences).

Where India stands today?

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN telecommunications agency, India ranked 23rd amongst 165 nations on the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) in 2017. GCI ranks nations for their commitment towards cybersecurity using various measures – legal, technical, organizational, capacity building, and cooperation. With the rapid rise in cyber threats, India’s growing investment in protecting its data is absolutely a positive development. Nevertheless, a quick look at the current status on cybersecurity and data protection laws in India highlights the gap we must fill in as we move towards complete digitizing of various infrastructures in the 21st century.

For instance, it was last in 2000 when the legal provisions related to cybersecurity were formulated in the Information Technology Act (ITA) when the nature of threats revolved only around viral or malware attacks. The ITA was later amended in 2008 and now deals with cyber crimes such as hacking, tampering, data or identity theft, cheating, phishing, etc. Sections 43 and 63–74 provide provisions for civil and criminal prosecution in case of different cyber offenses. The ITA requires entities holding private data of users to maintain specified security standards and provides provisions to users for airing grievances in case of the data breach.

India established its first cybersecurity policy – the National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP), in 2013, after much mayhem caused by Edward Snowden’s allegations of NSA snooping on India. The policy designated CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), a national nodal agency to respond to and analyze incidents of cybersecurity breaches. CERT-In provides alerts of cybersecurity incidents, conducts emergency measures for handling such incidents, coordinates necessary response activities and issues guidelines, etc., regarding cybersecurity measures. In the case of a data breach, an organization holding confidential user data must report to CERT-In promptly.

Also Read:
Cyber4Healthcare: An Issue of Today & Tomorrow
DISHA – Need of the hour

Healthcare specific provisions

While the above-mentioned regulations provide a general legal cybersecurity framework for all the organizations, no separate provisions are in place viz a viz the healthcare sector. India decided to fill in this gap last year when the Ministry of Health and Family Affair, the Government of India proposed the Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act (DISHA) and placed it in public domain on 21 March 2018 for comments by various stakeholders. DISHA aims to ensure reliability, data privacy, confidentiality, and security of digital health data. The act, applicable to entire India except for Jammu and Kashmir, establishes eHealth Authorities and Health Information Exchanges at the state and national levels while also outlining the guidelines on standardizing/ regulating the processes related to the collection, storing, transmission and use of digital health data (DHD) in India.

Accordingly, DHD means any electronic record of health-related information

• concerning the physical or mental health of a person
• on any health service provided to an individual
• on a donation of any body part of any bodily substance
• derived from testing or examination of a body part or bodily substance
• collected during providing health services
• relating to details of the clinical establishment accessed by a person

DISHA also specifies the rights of the owner of digital health data, outlines the purposes for which DHD can be collected and explicitly mentions all clinical establishments holding DHD to be duty-bound in maintaining privacy and confidentiality of the patient’s data. Importantly, DISHA touches upon what constitutes a breach of digital health data, compensation in the event of one happening and what punishments an individual or a company might face if convicted of a cybercrime.

Marching ahead

The breach of data far more often in the healthcare sector compared to other sectors highlights the value of information stored in digital health records. It is, therefore, important that cybersecurity takes precedence for all the healthcare providers. Proactive measures include identifying likely targets, securing and updating systems in a timely manner, constant monitoring for malware or security breaches and reinforcing good user behavior among the employees. Similarly, the response to data breach incidents needs to be swift to minimize the extent of damage when a cybercrime occurs. Like the adage, ‘prevention is better than cure’, the healthcare providers also have a necessary task ahead of themselves to up their security measures in accordance with the current legal framework, before a patient’s data or the trust gets compromised.

About the author

Dr. Urvashi (Raheja) Bhattacharyya is a Senior Research Analyst at StudyMode. She indulges in machine-learning methods during office hours and enjoys writing about healthcare and education in her free time.