PhD Student in Remote Fault Attacks on Cryptographic Algorithms

Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan · Vollzeit

Brinellvägen 8, Stockholm, Schweden

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 intentionally injects faults into cryptographic computations to extract sensitive information. This project aims to address this important open problem, with particular focus on remote attacks. We intend to study how fault attacks affect the security of cryptographic implementations from both an offensive and defensive perspective. By considering mathematical and electrical engineering problems in a unified context, the project is expected to contribute to the development of cryptographic implementations where resilience to fault attacks is built in at the design stage, rather than handled retroactively when a vulnerability is discovered. Selected candidates are expected to investigate how advanced machine learning techniques can be used to improve both the analysis and mitigation of fault attacks. The insights obtained will be used to develop new methods for vulnerability assessment and design countermeasures against fault attacks, together with supporting tools. The work will be carried out in the Hardware Security Group at KTH, which currently includes five PhD students. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council. Supervision: Prof. Elena Dubrova and Prof. Carl-Mikael Zetterling Eligibility for Admission To be admitted to doctoral education (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance), basic eligibility is required: - a degree at advanced level, or - completion of course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or - acquisition in some other way within or outside the country of essentially equivalent knowledge. Special eligibility requirements include knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, expertise in fault attacks and side-channel attacks, experience with embedded systems, and practical skills in machine learning, including knowledge of fundamental tools and platforms such as TensorFlow and others. In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement of English equivalent to English B/6. Selection To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. The selection assesses the ability to: - independently advance your work, - collaborate with others, - maintain a professional approach, - analyze and work with complex issues, and - communicate research results effectively in writing and through presentations. 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 in 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, considerable weight will be placed on personal qualities. Target Degree: Doctor's Degree Information on Admission and Employment Only those admitted to doctoral education may be employed as PhD students. The total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education over four years. An employed PhD student may, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within, for example, education and administration. A new employment as a PhD student is valid for a maximum of one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. As a PhD student, you will receive KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for PhD student salaries. Read more about Doctoral Studies at KTH | KTH | Sweden. Trade Union Representatives Contact information for trade union representatives. Doctoral Student Section (Royal Institute of Technology Student Union) Contact information for the doctoral student section. Application You apply through KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you have the main responsibility for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted. The application should contain - Copies of diplomas and transcripts from previous university studies and proof 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. - Application letter with a brief account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, 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 include a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text. The application must be received by KTH no later than the last application deadline at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time). Other For information on the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment. It may be that an employment at KTH is placed in a security classification. If so for this particular employment, a security check of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. 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