Life sciences firms face rising cyber threats amid AI optimism

New data from NTT DATA UK&I reveals that cyber-attacks for espionage or data theft are the top concern among life science leaders, with 35% of respondents asserting that mitigating these risks requires very substantial effort. This perception exceeds that of threats involving financial theft or extortion, which 31% of respondents viewed as demanding considerable attention.

The survey, which informed a report titled "Technology-Driven Opportunities & Risks in Life Sciences," involved 100 senior digital and data leaders from leading life sciences companies. The findings come in the wake of a significant ransomware attack on London hospitals last month, highlighting the increasing cyber threats facing the industry.

Phil Rust, Healthcare Architect and Technical Leader at NTT DATA UK&I, highlighted the heightened risk due to the value of research and trials data. He explained that in a sector where R&D costs are substantial, controlling essential data is critical. "Such data is also very attractive to state-backed cyber actors—who are often better organised and resourced than other cyber criminals and thus present a greater threat,” Rust remarked.

Despite these cybersecurity challenges, the survey also revealed significant optimism about the potential of digital and data technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). Of the respondents, 35% identified predictive AI as offering very substantial opportunities for revenue generation and savings, while 34% saw similar potential in generative AI.

When asked about their allocation of time and resources to AI projects, respondents tended to favour initiatives aligned with predictive AI, such as the quantitative analysis of large datasets, over those involving generative AI like ChatGPT. Additionally, 30% of respondents prioritised data analysis to identify conditions with unmet medical needs, while 21% focused on identifying new therapeutic molecules. Both objectives were listed among the top five priorities by over 80% of respondents.

The survey further highlighted the importance of AI in clinical trials, with 66% of digital leaders prioritising AI-powered tools for processing trial data for regulatory submissions. Identifying trial participants and creating digital twins for in silico trials were also prominent priorities, cited by 62% of respondents each.

Beyond AI, the survey indicated strong interest in other maturing technologies. Notably, 30% of respondents believed that 5G technology could significantly enhance data gathering and business process efficiency, placing it third behind predictive and generative AI in terms of perceived opportunities. Robotic process automation, aimed at handling routine administrative tasks, presented very substantial opportunities for 27% of respondents.

Commenting on the interest in 5G, Rust said, "The strong interest in 5G reflects its range of uses in life sciences. Organisations can create private networks operating within research, treatment or production facilities, or use the technology to exchange data remotely with scientific and medical equipment such as wearable technologies."

The survey's insights demonstrate a balancing act within the life sciences industry, where the promise of digital transformation competes with significant cybersecurity concerns. While digital leaders see substantial revenue and efficiency potential in advanced technologies, the imperative to safeguard sensitive data against sophisticated cyber threats remains a considerable challenge.