Four cognitive-ecological biases that reduce integration between medical and cyber intelligence and represent a threat to cybersecurity

Abstract

Cognitive biases are consistent and predictable mental errors caused by our simplified information processing strategies. Some cognitive-ecological biases have a negative and specific impact on the organization of Intelligence Communities and in particular on the mechanisms of integration of competencies between Medical and Cyber Intelligence, and they represent a serious threat to Cyber security. The spread of these systematic errors is practically ubiquitous and most, if not all, Intelligence analysts are at risk of error due to bias since it is a generalized phenomenon neither correlated with intelligence nor with other specific cognitive ability. The lack of exposure to the natural world of our species during the delicate phase of development only increases our propensity as a species for ecological destruction, generates a lack of knowledge about biological risks and amplifies the negative effects of these cognitive biases. We are not immune to evolutionary influence and since these biases have been present for a long time in our evolutionary history, it is very difficult to overcome them and implement "debiasing strategies". A potential "debiasing" model organization based on the competence’s integration between Medical and Cyber Intelligence is proposed. The key role within this model is represented by the “Symbiont or Cybiont”. This figure will be able to utilize the computer network as a mean for rapid communications, storage and retrieval of large bodies of knowledge. This augmented knowledge will be used also for reducing human’s ecological impact on nature and improving the debiases strategies of the Intelligence Communities.