The Cyberbiosecurity Self-Assessment Laboratory Tool (Cyber-SLAT)

Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the interaction of cybersecurity and biosecurity, recognizing that modern biological research increasingly depends on digital infrastructure. For laboratory facilities, priority risks within cyberbiosecurity stem from advancements in emerging biotechnologies and Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC), including artificial intelligence, next-generation sequencing, synthetic biology, and cloud-based laboratory automation. Cyberbiosecurity also addresses risks stemming from increased use and reliance on linked technologies within laboratory settings, such as, laboratory information management systems (LIMS) networked scientific instruments, supply chain management platforms and Internet of Things (IoT) devices that monitor environmental conditions in containment facilities. Understanding cyberbiosecurity threats and vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure systems within laboratory facilities is critical to protecting sensitive biological data and intellectual property and increasing biorisk management more broadly. The Cyberbiosecurity Self-Assessment Laboratory Tool (Cyber-SLAT) seeks to assist low-and medium- resourced laboratory setting in improving cyberbiosecurity awareness and capacity by identifying laboratory- specific cyberbiosecurity risks stemming from high-consequence pathogens, measuring capacities, and developing corrective actions. It expands on the Elizabeth R. Griffin Self-Assessment Tool (S-LAT) which was designed in 2017 for the self-assessment of biorisk management functions in research or diagnostic laboratories for public, environmental, and veterinary health. The 2025 version comprises of updated biorisk management modules introduced in the S-LAT and features a new cyberbiosecurity self-assessment tab focused on cyberbiosecurity risk evaluation, planning and management, infrastructure and systems, and incidence response. Completing the Cyber-SLAT encourages collaboration amongst laboratory staff and technicians, biosafety officers, and laboratory and facilities leadership, with input from information and communications technology (ICT) or equivalent staff, including IT support specialists, database administrators, and network/systems administrators. Like its predecessors, the Cyber-SLAT contains an automatically generated action plan that facilities can sue to identify gaps, and determine short-, mid-, and long-term activities to strengthen laboratory biorisk and cyberbiosecurity capacity. Individuals may identify the level of priority (low, medium, or high) for a particular action at their discretion, determine a timeline for its completion, and assign who is responsible for completing the action. The tool is available in English and French. (2026-01)