Hardware Security in Embedded Systems

This course aims to equip students with a robust foundation in hardware security, enabling them to effectively address and counter hardware security challenges in critical sector applications. Students will delve into various aspects of hardware security, including the life cycle of integrated circuits, supply chain security, hardware reverse engineering, and practical countermeasures against hardware security threats.

The course also unfolds contemporary and emerging topics like Physical Attacks, Tamper Protections, Lightweight Cryptography, Side-channel attacks, Fault Injection, Hardware Trojan Detection and Prevention in Printed Circuit board (PCB), Memory Extraction through UART/JTAG, Counterfeit Detection and Prevention . Through a blend of theoretical lectures, practical labs, and independent research, students will get a comprehensive understanding and hands-on experience in hardware security in embedded systems.

This course aligns with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 9.1 pertains to secure infrastructure development for economic growth and well-being.; SDGs 17.6 and 17.7 promote technology development, transfer, and dissemination. Sub-Goal 17.7 capacity building encourages sharing knowledge and international cooperation for enhancing global security and sustainable development.

Knowledge:

• Advance a comprehensive understanding of Hardware Security within Embedded Systems and its importance in critical sector applications.
• Advanced knowledge of the life cycle of integrated circuits, supply chain security, and hardware reverse engineering.
• Understand contemporary and emerging threats and methods for detection and prevention.

Skills:

• Ability to critically analyze existing theories and methods for studying hardware security and to independently apply such methods to related applications.
• Acquire hands-on experience in dealing with hardware security challenges from the chip to the system level through practical labs.

General competence:

1. Develop competence in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating hardware security threats in real-world scenarios.
2. Develop the capability to conduct independent research in the field of hardware security, contributing to ongoing developments in the domain.

The course is planned with lectures, guest lectures, research-based group discussions, and hands-on lab exercises.

The lecture will be accessible to both campus and remote students (Gjøvik and Trondheim). Lectures will take place on campus in Gjøvik and simultaneously streamed via the online learning management system, with best-effort support for remote access.

Students must participate in a group (a maximum of four) and complete at least 3 lab activities. The lab work will be conducted on campus at the Gjøvik and Trondheim campuses to provide hands-on experience. The course teacher will determine the final approval of the lab activities (pass/fail).

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