Syllabus

Course Information

Course Number: ECEN 426
Course Title: Security of Embedded Systems
Section: 500/700
Time: MWF 11:30 am – 12:20 pm
Location: ZACH 361 & ONLINE
Credit Hours: 3

Instructor Details

Instructor: Jeyavijayan (JV) Rajendran
Office: WEB 334J
Phone: (979) 458-7851
E-Mail: jv.rajendran@tamu.edu
Office Hours: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Mondays (Zoom meeting link will be shared later)

Course Description

(i) Cryptography and cryptographic algorithms such as AES, stream ciphers; (ii) Different types of side-channel attacks and countermeasures; (iii) Supply-chain vulnerabilities – hardware Trojans, IP piracy, and reverse engineering; (iv) Security modules for system-on-chip; and (v) Physical unclonable functions.

Course Prerequisites

Grade of C or better in ECEN 350; and/or instructor’s approval. This course contains labs that require the knowledge of using IC design tools, HDL (VHDL/Verilog) programming, basic knowledge of computer architecture, and proficiency in programming.

Special Course Designation

ECEN 426 Distance Learning (Sect. 500)

There is one distance learning (DL) section of the course. DL students are responsible for all the same labs and exams as local 426 students. DL students will be graded the same as local 426 students.

Upon request via email, the TAs and/or instructor will be available for virtual office visits via eCampus Collaborate Ultra (click on the “DL TA/Instructor Discussion” link in eCampus at the agreed upon time and then click on the “Course Room”).

Lectures will be automatically recorded and will populate in eCampus sometime in the afternoon/evening of the day they are recorded for DL students to watch off-line.

DL students will complete the labs and demo the working labs with the TAs via eCampus Collaborate Ultra. DL students may want to buy a MasterLock.

The instructor will contact DL students individually to make arrangements for the students to complete the exams.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Ability to design, analyze, and simulate cryptographic algorithms.
• Ability to perform side-channel attacks
• Ability to identify security bugs in an SoC
• Ability to design, analyze, and attack defense techniques in IC.

Textbook and/or Resource Materials

There is no recommended text book for this course. All relevant notes and materials will be posted on the course website.

Grading Policy

Final grades in this course will be based on several lab assignments given throughout the semester, class participation, and a final project. Scribing and projects can be done in a group of no more than 3 students. This course has no midterms and finals.

The tentative grading policy is:

Grading scale:

A 90–100%

B 80–89.99%

C 70–79.99%

D 60–69.99%

F 0–59.99%

Labs

1. AI vs Humans: Hardware trojan detection
2. Power side-channel attack on AES
3. Hacking a coffee-maker
4. SoC security analysis
5. Machine learning in split manufacturing

Projects

1. Logic locking of processors
2. Identifying hidden instructions in processors
3. Cache side-channel attack
4. Malware-detection using Hardware Performance Counters (HPCs)
5. Temporal thermal covert channels in FPGAs
6. Remote power side-channel attacks on FPGAs
7. Dolphin attack
8. Flash forensics
9. Attacking neural networks on FPGAs
10. Attacks on logic locking
11. Fuzzing processors for security bugs

Attendance

By default, every student earns 5% for attendance but for every missed class they lose 0.5%. Note that this deduction is not applicable to university-approved absences or those permitted by the instructor.

Operational Details for Course in the Online Mode:

1. Students taking the course from the online mode of instruction are required to turn on cameras during class. The university’s new Bring Your Own Device policy requires that students have access to a webcam.
2. Lectures will be delivered synchronously (during the scheduled lecture time slots) via Zoom. Lecture videos (recorded from Zoom) and lecture slides will be made available to the students.
3. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the synchronous lectures and participate in the class discussions.

Late Work Policy

If the absence is excused, the instructor will provide the student an opportunity to make up any quiz, exam or other work that contributes to the final grade or provide a satisfactory alternative by a date agreed upon by the student and instructor. If an instructor has a regularly scheduled make-up exam, students are expected to attend unless they have a university-approved excuse. The make-up work must be completed within a timeframe not to exceed 30 calendar days from the last day of the initial absence.

Course Schedule

*The course may also have invited speakers from companies and research organizations. In the past, we have had speakers from Intel and Qualcomm to share their state-of-the-art techniques.

Optional Course Information Items

None

University Policies

This section outlines the university level policies. The TAMU Faculty Senate established the wording of these policies.

[NOTE: Faculty members should not change the written statements. A faculty member may add separate paragraphs if additional information is needed.]

Attendance Policy

The university views class attendance and participation as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments.

Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about excused absences, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

Makeup Work Policy

Students will be excused from attending class on the day of a graded activity or when attendance contributes to a student’s grade, for the reasons stated in Student Rule 7, or other reason deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about makeup work, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

Absences related to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 may necessitate a period of more than 30 days for make-up work, and the timeframe for make-up work should be agreed upon by the student and instructor” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.1).

“The instructor is under no obligation to provide an opportunity for the student to make up work missed because of an unexcused absence” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.2).

Students who request an excused absence are expected to uphold the Aggie Honor Code and Student Conduct Code. (See Student Rule 24).

Academic Integrity Statement and Policy

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

“Texas A&M University students are responsible for authenticating all work submitted to an instructor. If asked, students must be able to produce proof that the item submitted is indeed the work of that student. Students must keep appropriate records at all times. The inability to authenticate one’s work, should the instructor request it, may be sufficient grounds to initiate an academic misconduct case” (Section 20.1.2.3, Student Rule 20).

Texas A&M at College Station

You can learn more about the Aggie Honor System Office Rules and Procedures, academic integrity, and your rights and responsibilities at aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

Texas A&M at Galveston

You can learn more about the Honor Council Rules and Procedures as well as your rights and responsibilities at tamug.edu/HonorSystem.

Texas A&M at Qatar

You can learn more about academic integrity and your rights and responsibilities at Texas A&M University at Qatar by visiting the Aggie Honor System.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy

Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact Disability Resources office on your campus (resources listed below). Disabilities may include, but are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and their instructors as soon as possible.

Texas A&M at College Station

Disability Resources is located in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit disability.tamu.edu.

Texas A&M at Galveston

Disability Resources is located in the Student Services Building or at (409) 740-4587 or visit tamug.edu/counsel/Disabilities. Texas A&M at Qatar

Disability Services is located in the Engineering Building, room 318C or at +974.4423.0316 or visit https://www.qatar.tamu.edu/students/student-affairs/disability-services.

Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality

Texas A&M University is committed to fostering a learning environment that is safe and productive for all. University policies and federal and state laws prohibit gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

With the exception of some medical and mental health providers, all university employees (including full and part-time faculty, staff, paid graduate assistants, student workers, etc.) are Mandatory Reporters and must report to the Title IX Office if the employee experiences, observes, or becomes aware of an incident that meets the following conditions (see University Rule 08.01.01.M1:

• The incident is reasonably believed to be discrimination or harassment.
• The incident is alleged to have been committed by or against a person who, at the time of the incident, was (1) a student enrolled at the University or (2) an employee of the University.

Mandatory Reporters must file a report regardless of how the information comes to their attention – including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Although Mandatory Reporters must file a report, in most instances, a person who is subjected to the alleged conduct will be able to control how the report is handled, including whether or not to pursue a formal investigation. The University’s goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and to ensure access to the resources you need.

Texas A&M at College Station

Students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are encouraged to make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution process on the University’s Title IX webpage.

Texas A&M at Galveston

Students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are encouraged to make an appointment with the Counseling Office in the Seibel Student Center, or call (409)740-4587. For additional information, visit tamug.edu/counsel.

Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution process on the Galveston Campus’ Title IX webpage.

Texas A&M at Qatar

Texas A&M University at Qatar students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are encouraged to visit the Health and Wellness.

Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution process on the University’s Title IX webpage.

Statement on Mental Health and Wellness

Texas A&M University recognizes that mental health and wellness are critical factors that influence a student’s academic success and overall wellbeing. Students are encouraged to engage in healthy self-care by utilizing available resources and services on your campus.

Texas A&M College Station

Students who need someone to talk to can contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) or call the TAMU Helpline (979-845-2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. 24-hour emergency help is also available through the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Texas A&M at Galveston

Students who need someone to talk to can call (409) 740-4736 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays or visit tamug.edu/counsel for more information. For 24-hour emergency assistance during nights and weekends, contact the TAMUG Police Dept at (409) 740-4545. 24-hour emergency help is also available through the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Texas A&M at Qatar

Texas A&M University at Qatar students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are encouraged to visit the Health and Wellness for more information.

Campus Specific Policies

Texas A&M at Galveston

Classroom Access and Inclusion Statement**

Texas A&M University is committed to engaged student participation in all of its programs and courses and provides an accessible academic environment for all students. This means that our classrooms, our virtual spaces, our practices and our interactions are as inclusive as possible and we work to provide a welcoming instructional climate and equal learning opportunities for everyone. If you have an instructional need, please notify me as soon as possible.

The Aggie Core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service in addition to civility, and the ability to listen and to observe others are the foundation of a welcoming instructional climate. Active, thoughtful and respectful participation in all aspects of the course supports a more inclusive classroom environment as well as our mutual responsibilities to the campus community.