PhD Student in Remote Fault Attacks on Cryptographic Algorithms

Project Description

Research education subject: Information and Communication Technology

Currently, there are no effective methods to protect implementations of cryptographic algorithms against fault attacks, where an attacker deliberately injects faults into cryptographic computations to extract sensitive information. The project aims to tackle this important open problem, with a particular focus on remote attacks. We intend to study how fault attacks affect the security of cryptographic implementations from both an offensive and a defensive perspective. By considering mathematical and electrical engineering problems in context, the project is expected to contribute to the development of cryptographic implementations where resilience against fault attacks is built in at the design stage, rather than being handled after a vulnerability has been discovered.

Selected candidates are expected to investigate how advanced machine learning techniques can be used to improve both the analysis and the mitigation of fault attacks. The insights gained will be used to develop new methods for vulnerability assessment and to design countermeasures against fault attacks, along with associated support tools.

The work will be carried out in the hardware security group at KTH, which currently includes five doctoral students.

The project is funded by Vetenskapsrådet.

Supervision: Prof. Elena Dubrova and Prof. Carl-Mikael Zetterling

Eligibility for Admission

To be admitted to doctoral studies (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance), basic eligibility is required:

completed a degree at an advanced level, or fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at an advanced level, or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility requirements include knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, expertise in fault attacks and side-channel attacks, experience with embedded systems, as well as practical skills in machine learning, including knowledge of basic tools and platforms such as TensorFlow and others.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to Engelska B/6.

Selection

To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. During selection, the ability to:

independently drive your work forward, collaborate with others, maintain a professional approach, analyze and work with complex issues, and communicate research results effectively in writing and through presentations, will be assessed.

Applicants who have completed a course in hardware security as part of their academic curriculum will be prioritized.

Applicants whose bachelor's/master's thesis was conducted within the field of hardware security will be prioritized.

Applicants with published articles in top-ranked hardware security journals, conferences, or workshops will be prioritized.

After the eligibility requirements, great importance will be placed on personal qualities.

Target Degree: PhD

Information about Admission and Employment

Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The total period of employment may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed doctoral student may, to a limited extent (at most 20%), perform certain tasks within, e.g., education and administration. A new employment as a doctoral student is valid for at most one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for at most two years at a time.

As a doctoral student, you will benefit from KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for doctoral salaries. Read more about Forskarstudier vid KTH | KTH | Sweden.

Union Representatives

Contact details for union representatives.

Doktorandsektionen (Tekniska högskolans studentkår)

Contact details for the doctoral section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application must contain:

Copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified. CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge. A cover letter with a concise account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, about your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Max 2 pages) Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please attach a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other

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