Projektpraktikum SmartCard

What it is about

You analyze and secure a pay-TV-like system with smart cards. In the practical you first break into an existing system using side-channel and fault attacks, extract key material, program your own smart card with this key, and then switch roles to design and evaluate protective measures. In the end, you can develop embedded systems based on an ARM microcontroller and assess countermeasures against physical attacks.

What you will be able to do

• Program modern embedded systems
• Implement the design of a Smart Card on an ARM microcontroller
• Explain common Smart Card communication protocols
• Program microcontrollers
• Apply basic cryptographic algorithms
• Implement countermeasures against DPA
• Explain the operation of basic fault attacks (e.g. DFA)

What the module consists of

• PraktikumCentral element: practical implementation, attacks and countermeasures in small groups
• EinführungsveranstaltungenConveying the basics at the beginning
• Zwischen- und AbschlusspräsentationPresentation and discussion of project results in plenary
• DokumentationWritten description of results and implementations

Teaching method

• EinführungsvorträgeIntroduction to the topics
• Gruppenprojekte mit TutorbetreuungPlanning and implementation of the project in small groups; regular feedback
• Präsentationen im PlenumPresentation and discussion of the results
• Freie Zeiteinteilung mit SprechstundenIndependent working phases with supervision by tutor