Course Overview

The modern cryptographic algorithms provide a reasonable level of security against the known mathematical and analytical cryptanalysis attacks. Breaking a system by means of a physical attack does not infer to the weakness of the algorithm, but of the implementation. In the first part of the lecture, different kinds of physical attacks on cryptographic devices (e.g., a smartcard used for payment, a contactless card used for authentication, and smartphones) are introduced, while we focus later on countermeasures and the methods to make implementations resistant against the known physical attacks.

Learning Achievement

The goal of this lecture is to give an overview about the known physical attacks and most considerably the schemes developed to counter such a kind of attacks.

Competence

Course prerequisites

none; recommended prior knowledge: basic knowledge of digital technology, basic knowledge of data security and cryptography, solid programming skills in at least one programming language (e.g. C++), basic knowledge of computer architecture, basic knowledge of signal processing

Grading Philosophy

written exam (120 min)

Course schedule

Week1: Introduction Week2: followed by Week3 to the Final Week

Course type

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Amir Mo­ra­di

Other information

Lecture and Exercise Project-based work is a large part of the course. In addition to a written exam, there is weekly project work (homework) and a final seminar. All parts have to be worked on individually. To successfully pass the course, the exam must be passed with at least 50% AND the composite final grade must be at least 50%. The final mark is composed as follows: Weekly project work (homework): 30% Written exam: 60%. Final seminar: 20%. This gives a total of 110%. Therefore 10% of the points to be achieved are bonus points.

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