7: Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a key theme in the animated movie Big Hero 6, even if it isn't explicitly mentioned as such. The story revolves around the manipulation and misuse of technology, offering an intriguing perspective on the significance of implementing protections for these innovations.

Hiro’s microbots, an invention designed to revolutionize areas of society like construction and transportation, fall into the hands of the antagonist, stolen and weaponized by the notorious Professor Callaghan. This theft highlights a fundamental topic in cybersecurity failures: the lack of protection for technology, specifically those that contain sensitive data. In the real world, especially in an industry involving the health of human beings, these breaches parallel the threats of intellectual property theft and cybercrimes, where innovative ideas are vulnerable to exploitation without proper security measures in place.

Baymax, originally Tadashi’s healthcare robot, shows how technology can be a force for good when designed with the intention of keeping strict safety and reliability. However, when Hiro removes Baymax’s original chip and replaces it with a combat chip, Baymax’s actions change completely, adhering to the intentions of the user, in this case, Hiro. This demonstrates a serious cybersecurity concern: the risk of tampering with or making unregulated modifications. Just like in real-world systems, a lack of safeguards and regulations can lead to tools or devices being misused.

The film also explores the dangers of control systems that become compromised. The microbots operate through a central neural transmitter, a mechanism that is hijacked by Callaghan to manipulate the bots for his intentions. In this case, for destructive purposes. This situation is similar to real-world cybersecurity risks, like malware attacks or hackers getting into central networks. The microbots’ lack of security features, like encryption protocols, is a warning about the need for strong protections, such as secure login systems. An example of these protocols is when Microsoft makes the user go through various channels such as receiving a number and inputting in their authenticator app. 

Big Hero 6 illustrates the nuances between innovation and cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for innovators to be informed of safety regulations and the need for certain protections in technological development. While the film celebrates the potential of advancements like Baymax to improve lives, it also warns the audience of the consequences when systems lack the protections needed to safeguard them from users with malintent.

Hrithika Ravishankar