Chapter 7 - Computer and Network Security

Inception presents a world in which the necessity for cybersecurity extends to the brain itself. Criminals, now empowered with the ability to subconsciously steal or replace ideas, now must be opposed using mental firewalls. In the movie, these firewalls are portrayed as armed guards who violently impede the movements of malicious attackers. In real life, these sorts of protections might come in all sorts of shapes. One idea could be to train the body to not dream. Another might be the old fashioned tinfoil hat for remote accessories. Perhaps cybernetic augmentations could be made to the brain to completely prevent attackers. Regardless, the importance of these ideas is that while “brain hacking” may not come in the exact form as seen in the film, similar technologies are emerging. Notably, artificial intelligence is currently being used by neurologists to map brain activity to allow for mind reading and perhaps eventually even mind writing. The criminal applications of such technologies are, themselves, explored in Inception. Perhaps, soon, tinfoil hats will become standard nightwear.