Doctoral student in Remote Fault Attacks on Cryptographic Algorithms

Third-cycle subject: Information and Communication Technology

Currently there are no effective methods for protecting implementations of cryptographic algorithms from fault attacks where an adversary deliberately injects faults into cryptographic computations to extract sensitive information. This project aims to address this important open problem with a particular focus on remote attacks. We intend to take into account the impact of fault attacks on cryptographic implementation security from both an offensive perspective (by devising new types of attacks) and a defensive perspective (by designing countermeasures). The overarching challenge is to create defense mechanisms that can withstand fault attacks as the adversarys capabilities grow. By considering mathematical and electrical engineering problems together the project is expected to create cryptographic implementations in which resistance to fault attacks is incorporated at the design stage rather than addressed later after a vulnerability is discovered.

The successful candidate is expected to investigate the use of advanced machine learning techniques to enhance both the analysis and mitigation of fault attacks. The insights gained will be used to develop new vulnerability assessment methods and design countermeasures against fault attacks along 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

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7 39 Swedish Higher Education Ordinance) the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a masters degree) or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits or
• acquired in some other way within or outside the country substantially equivalent knowledge

The special eligibility requirements include knowledge of cryptographic algorithms expertise fault and side-channel attacks experience in embedded systems as well as practical skills in machine learning including knowledge of essentials tools and platforms such as TensorFlow etc.

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

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others
• have 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 given a priority.
Applicants whose bachelor/master thesis work was performed in the area of hardware security will be given a priority.
Applicants with published papers in high-ranked hardware security journals conferences or workshops will be given a priority.

After the qualification requirements great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years time. An employed doctoral student can to a limited extent (maximum 20%) perform certain tasks within their role e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

As a doctoral student you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTHs Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) KTH Sweden.

Contact information forunion representatives.

Contact information forPhD chapter.

Apply for the position and admission through KTHs recruitment system. It is the applicants responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must include the following elements:

• Copies of diplomas and grades 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 of originals must be certified.
• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicants such cases a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement the Swedish version takes precedence.

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