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227-0579-00L 7 Credits DR , MSC D-ITET , D-INFK

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Hardware Security

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Kaveh Razavi

VVZ CR 3.33

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:01:59

Abstract

This course covers the security of commodity computer hardware (e.g., CPU, DRAM, etc.) with a special focus on cutting-edge hands-on research. The aim of the course is familiarizing the students with hardware security and more specifically microarchitectural and circuit-level attacks and defenses through lectures, reviewing and discussing papers, and executing some of these advanced attacks.

Objective

By the end of the course, the students will be familiar with the state of the art in commodity computer hardware attacks and defenses. More specifically, the students will learn about: - security problems of commodity hardware that we use everyday and how you can defend against them. - relevant computer architecture and operating system aspects of these issues. - hands-on techniques for performing hardware attacks. - writing critical reviews and constructive discussions with peers on this topic. This is the course where you get credit points by building some of the most advanced exploits on the planet! The luckiest team will collect a Best Demo Award at the end of the course.

Resources

Literature

Slides, relevant literature and manuals will be made available during the course.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

The final grade is composed of grades given to individual practical assignments (30%), group assignments (40%) and paper reviews and/or presentations (30%).- Individual practical assignments are graded based on correctness/quality of the produced code (60%) and on oral discussions based on the assignments and relevant lectures (40%).- Group assignments are graded based on the correctness and quality of the produced code.- Reviews are graded on the quality of the review, i.e., a succinct summary of the paper, critical analysis of the positive and negative aspects, and language. The presentations are graded based on their clarity and quality as well as the subsequent discussion management.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Hardware Security Please note that the classes of October 4 and October 18 take place from 14:00-17:00 instead of 14:00-16:00 in ETZ G71.2. There will be an informal demo session in the last week of the course. The details will be announced later.	Tue 14:15-16:00 (HG E 41) 16.12 Date 17:15-19:00 (ETZ E 6)	2 h weekly
exercise	Hardware Security	Thu 10:15-12:00 (IFW A 32.1)	2 h weekly
independent project	Hardware Security Project Work, no fixed presence required.	No time listed	2 h weekly

Offered In

Computer Science Master
- Majors
  - Major in Secure and Reliable Systems
    - Elective Courses
- Minors
  - Minor in Information Security
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2018)
  - Computers and Networks (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Computers and Networks", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Computers and Networks". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
      - Advanced Core Courses (Advanced core courses bring students to gain in-depth knowledge of the chosen specialization. They are MSc level only.)
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2008)
  - Major Courses (A total of 42 CP must be achieved during the Master Programme. The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Computers and Networks
      - Core Subjects (These core subjects are particularly recommended for the field of "Computers and Networks".)
Doctorate Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (More Information at: )
- Subject Specialisation (A minimum of 12 ECTS credit points must be obtained during doctoral studies. The courses on offer below are only a small selection out of a much larger available number of courses. Please discuss your course selection with your PhD supervisor.)
Cyber Security Master
- Field of Specialization
  - Electives