PhD in Remote Error Attacks on Cryptographic Algorithms

Project description Doctoral studies subject: Information and Communication Technology Currently there are no effective methods to protect implementations of cryptographic algorithms against error attacks, where an attacker deliberately injects bugs into cryptographic calculations to extract sensitive information. The project aims to address this important open problem, with a particular focus on remote attacks. We intend to study how error attacks affect the safety of cryptographic implementations from both an offensive and a defensive perspective. By considering mathematical and electrotechnical problems in a context, the project is expected to contribute to the development of cryptographic implementations where resistance to error attacks is built into the design stage, rather than being handled afterwards when a vulnerability has been discovered.

The selected candidates are expected to investigate how advanced machine learning techniques can be used to improve both analysis and mitigation of error attacks. The insights obtained will be used to develop new vulnerability assessment methods and to design counter-attack responses, together with associated support tools.

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

The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council.

Tutorial: Prof. Elena Dubrova and Prof. Carl-Mikael Zetterling Admission requirements To be admitted to doctoral studies (chapter 7 39 § Higher Education Ordinance) basic eligibility requirements: completed a degree at advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or in any other way within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

The specific eligibility requirements include knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, expertise in bug 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 in English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be targeted and persistent in your work. In selection, the ability to: independently drive their work forward, be able to collaborate with others, have a professional approach, analyse and work with complex issues, and communicate research results effectively in writing and through presentations.

Applicants who have completed a course in hardware safety as part of their academic curriculum will be given priority.

Applicants whose bachelor's/master's thesis was carried out in the field of hardware security will be given priority.

Applicants with published articles in top rated hardware security journals, conferences or workshops will be given priority.

After the eligibility requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal characteristics.

Goal degree: Doctoral degree 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 that corresponding to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed doctoral student can to a limited extent (maximum 20 %) perform certain tasks within e.g. education and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year, the employment may then be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

As a doctoral student, you will receive KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for doctoral salaries. Read more about Doctoral Studies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology ( KTH Royal Institute of Technology).

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Contact information for the doctoral student section.

Application You apply via KTH's recruitment system. You as an applicant have the main responsibility for ensuring that your application is complete when it is submitted.

The application must contain Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of language requirements (see above). translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of those languages; Copies of originals shall be certified CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge.

Application letter with a brief explanation of why you want to conduct research 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 by the deadline of midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

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