Giant Flying Squid’s Unique Color Language: What We Can Learn for Cybersecurity

How the Giant Flying Squid’s Color Language Offers Lessons for Cybersecurity

In the vast depths of the ocean, giant flying squid (Dosidicus gigas) exhibit a remarkable form of communication through shimmering color changes. Marine biologists have recently discovered that these animals use their pigmentation not just for camouflage, but as a sophisticated "language." Through coordinated color patterns, these squid transmit complex messages to each other, helping them avoid collisions and work together in the hunt for prey. This unique system of quick, coordinated signaling is fascinating—and surprisingly relatable to modern cybersecurity needs, where clear, quick communication between systems and teams is crucial.

Understanding the Color Language of the Giant Flying Squid

Squid use specialized cells in their skin called chromatophores to rapidly change color. In a 2020 study, researchers discovered that these pigment changes help giant flying squid coordinate during hunting. Despite being numerous and moving quickly, the squid seldom collide or waste time competing for the same prey. The researchers noted that they displayed 12 distinct pigmentation patterns, arranged in sequences that resemble sentences, to signal specific actions or intentions.

For example, the squid would go fully dark when chasing prey, then switch to a half-light, half-dark mode just before an attack. This sequence appears to communicate a clear intention—“I’m about to attack”—allowing other squid to act accordingly. Beyond this, the squid use subtle pigment variations to provide context and enhance the message, creating a complex yet efficient system of non-verbal communication.

How Could the Squid's Communication Apply to Cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, a coordinated and efficient flow of information is crucial. Much like the squid’s dynamic signaling, teams and systems need to transmit alerts, warnings, and updates swiftly to avoid conflicts, prevent breaches, and address vulnerabilities. The giant flying squid’s communication model shows us three key lessons for cybersecurity:

1. Clear, Immediate Signals Reduce Confusion

The squid’s color changes are unambiguous signals that everyone in the group understands and responds to immediately. Similarly, in cybersecurity, clear and consistent communication is critical, whether it’s between team members or between automated systems and human operators. Using streamlined alerts and automated messages can help teams coordinate quickly and avoid misunderstandings.

Related resource: See how Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform enhances real-time communication to minimize human risk in cybersecurity.

2. Sequence and Context Can Improve Team Response

Just as the squid arrange their colors in sequences to give additional context, security teams benefit from well-structured communication protocols that help team members quickly understand what action is needed. For example, a phishing simulation from Keepnet Labs’ Phishing Simulator can train employees to recognize and respond to cyber threats. Through repeated, context-rich exercises, employees learn how to recognize the “signals” of a phishing attempt.

3. Flexible Communication Systems Enhance Coordination

The squid’s communication system is adaptable. They can change their patterns to suit different circumstances, which is similar to how adaptive security protocols adjust to new threats in real time. Just as squid adjust their behavior based on the message they receive, adaptable security training programs can help employees become more agile and responsive. Training like security awareness training—offered through Keepnet Labs’ Security Awareness Training—helps users understand the full range of cyber threats and the best responses, building a flexible approach to security.

Why Consistent, Context-Rich Messaging Matters in Cybersecurity

The squid’s color language also underscores the importance of consistency in communication. When the giant flying squid signals an action, all members of the group understand it the same way, reducing the likelihood of accidental collisions or missed hunting opportunities. In cybersecurity, consistent messaging reduces misinterpretation and improves response time to cyber incidents.

Consider how phishing attacks can exploit confusion and inconsistency in security messaging. A well-coordinated phishing attack can easily bypass defenses if the response is not immediate and cohesive. By training teams to recognize phishing signals, and by ensuring the entire organization is on the same page, businesses can minimize the damage.

Explore Phishing Risk Scores to see how structured scoring improves user awareness and reduces vulnerabilities.

Moving from Reactive to Proactive Security

In the ocean, the squid’s color language allows it to preemptively signal an action before it happens. Similarly, cybersecurity teams can benefit from proactive messaging systems that signal potential risks before they escalate into full-scale incidents. For example, multi-factor authentication phishing simulations can act as proactive training tools, giving employees advance preparation on how to identify MFA phishing attacks before encountering them.

Check out How MFA Phishing Simulations Reinforce Digital Walls for more insights on proactive security measures.

Building a Culture of Rapid Response with Coordinated Communication

The squid’s coordinated color language also exemplifies a strong, shared understanding of roles. In cybersecurity, building a culture of rapid response can ensure that every team member knows their role during a security event. This coordinated approach is particularly important for incident response, where quick decisions can make all the difference. With tools like Keepnet Labs’ Incident Responder, teams can implement structured response workflows that allow them to respond to threats effectively.

Final Thoughts: Learning from Nature to Strengthen Cybersecurity

The giant flying squid shows us how powerful a well-coordinated communication system can be. By using a simple, rapid language, they avoid unnecessary collisions, divide resources effectively, and hunt more efficiently. In cybersecurity, this translates to clear, consistent, and adaptive communication protocols that can improve response times and reduce the risk of breaches.

As cyber threats grow more complex, businesses can learn from these natural systems to enhance team coordination, train employees on rapid identification of threats, and build a culture of proactive security.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on November 14, 2024.