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Hardware Security

4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 682 ratings
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Gang Qu

In this course, we will study security and trust from the hardware perspective. Upon completing the course, students will understand the vulnerabilities in current digital system design flow and the physical attacks to these systems. They will learn that security starts from hardware design and be familiar with the tools and skills to build secure and trusted hardware.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Digital System Design: Basics and Vulnerabilities
To learn hardware security, we first need to learn how hardware is designed. This week's lectures give an overview of the basics on digital logic design, which is a semester-long course for freshmen and sophomores in most schools. By no means we can cover all the materials. What we provide here is the minimal set that you need to understand about digital design for you to move on to learn hardware security.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Strong reputation of Gang Qu, who is a distinguished professor in Hardware Security
Deep dive into the vulnerabilities in current digital system design flow and the physical attacks to these systems
Develops skills for building secure and trusted hardware
Course requires a background in digital logic design

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Reviews summary

In-depth hardware security fundamentals

According to learners, the Hardware Security course offers an in-depth look at critical vulnerabilities often missed in general security training. Students praise the clear and engaging lectures delivered by knowledgeable instructors, which help to demystify complex topics. The hands-on labs and projects are highlighted as particularly useful for reinforcing theoretical concepts. However, a key point raised by multiple reviewers is the need for a strong foundation in digital design; the course's introductory material is considered insufficient for true beginners. While the content is highly relevant, some felt certain sections were rushed and found lab instructions could be improved. Overall, it's considered highly valuable for engineers in the field.
Instructors explain complex concepts well.
"The lectures were clear and the examples were practical. The instructors are knowledgeable..."
"The lecturers were engaging, and the course materials were well-structured."
"Great instructors. Highly recommend this for engineers..."
"The lectures are clear and the assignments solidify understanding. Instructors are very knowledgeable."
Reinforce concepts with hands-on work.
"Labs were very helpful for understanding the concepts hands-on."
"The projects were challenging but provided great learning opportunities."
"The labs were practical and reinforced the lecture concepts effectively."
"The assignments (labs/projects) solidify understanding."
Covers critical, often overlooked topics.
"Excellent course covering critical topics in hardware security."
"A solid introduction to hardware security. The syllabus is comprehensive."
"This course filled a significant gap in my knowledge regarding hardware-level vulnerabilities."
"The focus on hardware is unique and highly relevant."
Assessment tests understanding deeply.
"The final exam was challenging but fair."
"The final exam was quite difficult, testing understanding deeply."
Some lab instructions are unclear.
"Could benefit from more detailed walkthroughs on the lab setups."
"Labs were okay but sometimes buggy."
"Labs were confusing without a solid foundation."
"Some lab instructions were not as clear as they could be, requiring trial and error."
Needs solid digital design background.
"Requires a good understanding of digital design basics."
"The course assumes too much prior knowledge... it's not enough if you haven't had a full digital design course."
"If you don't know Verilog or VHDL and digital design fundamentals well, you will struggle significantly."
"Someone new to digital design might struggle despite the introductory week."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Hardware Security with these activities:
Note and Resource Compilation
Compile a comprehensive collection of notes, assignments, and supplementary materials to stay organized and better retain information
Browse courses on Hardware Security
Show steps
  • Review course notes and lectures regularly
  • Organize notes into a digital or physical filing system
  • Gather and bookmark relevant online resources and articles
Peer Study and Discussion Groups
Engage in discussions and study sessions with peers to reinforce your understanding and gain different perspectives
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Show steps
  • Form a study group with other students in the course
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, solve problems, and share insights
  • Provide feedback and support to your fellow group members
Online Simulation Exercises
Engage in interactive online simulations to visualize and understand physical attacks on hardware systems
Browse courses on Physical Attacks
Show steps
  • Identify online simulation platforms or tools
  • Select simulations relevant to the course material
  • Run the simulations and observe the results
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Challenge Questions from Chapter Text
Practice solving challenges provided in the course text to improve problem-solving skills
Show steps
  • Read the chapter material thoroughly
  • Attempt the challenge questions on your own
  • Review your solutions with the provided answer key
Side Channel Attack Exercises
Work on exercises and problems that involve detecting and mitigating side channel attacks
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Show steps
  • Familiarize yourself with different side channel attack techniques
  • Practice implementing countermeasures to prevent these attacks
  • Solve problems that simulate real-world side channel attack scenarios
Contribute to Open Hardware Projects
Get involved in open-source hardware projects to gain practical experience and contribute to the community
Browse courses on Hardware Security
Show steps
  • Identify open-source hardware projects related to hardware security
  • Review the project documentation and code
  • Make contributions to the project, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements
Hardware Security Design Project
Design and implement a hardware system with security features to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts
Browse courses on Hardware Security
Show steps
  • Define the project scope and requirements
  • Design the hardware architecture and implement security mechanisms
  • Simulate and test the system to verify its functionality and security
  • Write a detailed report summarizing your project

Career center

Learners who complete Hardware Security will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Hardware Security Architect
Hardware Security Architects ensure security measures are built into the hardware of electronic devices, protecting them from vulnerabilities and potential attacks. This course provides valuable insights into hardware vulnerabilities and teaches design techniques to mitigate them. By gaining expertise in digital system design, design intellectual property protection, and side channel attacks, graduates will be well-equipped to design secure and robust electronic systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Security Architect
Hardware Security Analyst
Hardware Security Analysts identify vulnerabilities in hardware and develop countermeasures to protect against cyber attacks. This course provides a strong foundation in hardware security, including secure digital design, physical attack detection, and side channel analysis. By mastering these concepts, graduates will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and assess the security of hardware systems effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Security Analyst
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect organizations from cyber threats. This course complements their expertise by providing in-depth knowledge of hardware security, enabling them to understand hardware vulnerabilities and develop robust security solutions. Graduates will gain skills in threat analysis, risk management, and incident response, making them valuable assets in the field of cybersecurity.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer
Hardware Design Engineer
Hardware Design Engineers design and develop electronic hardware systems, ensuring their functionality and performance. This course provides essential knowledge on hardware security, helping them create secure and reliable systems. By understanding vulnerabilities and countermeasures, graduates will be able to incorporate security measures into their designs, reducing the risk of hardware-based attacks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Design Engineer
Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity Engineers protect computer networks and systems from unauthorized access and attacks. This course broadens their understanding of hardware security, complementing their knowledge of network and software security. By gaining expertise in physical attacks and side channel analysis, graduates will be able to assess and mitigate hardware-related vulnerabilities, enhancing the overall security posture of organizations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer
Cryptographic Engineer
Cryptographic Engineers design and implement cryptographic algorithms and protocols for secure communication and data protection. This course provides a solid foundation in hardware security, enabling them to understand the hardware implications of cryptographic operations. By gaining knowledge of physical attacks and side channel analysis, graduates will be able to develop robust and secure cryptographic solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptographic Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and maintain computer hardware components and systems. This course enhances their knowledge of hardware security, helping them create secure and reliable computing systems. By understanding hardware vulnerabilities and countermeasures, graduates will be able to integrate security measures into their designs, mitigating the risk of hardware-based attacks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Security Analyst
Computer Security Analysts assess and mitigate security risks for computer systems and networks. This course supplements their knowledge by providing insights into hardware security vulnerabilities and countermeasures. By understanding physical attacks and side channel analysis, graduates will be able to identify and address hardware-related threats, enhancing the overall security of IT systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Security Analyst
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain network security systems and protocols. This course provides a complementary understanding of hardware security, enabling them to secure networks from hardware-based attacks. By gaining knowledge of physical attacks and side channel analysis, graduates will be able to assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, improving the security of enterprise networks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer
Embedded Systems Engineer
Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop embedded systems for various applications. This course offers valuable insights into hardware security, enabling them to create secure and dependable embedded systems. By understanding hardware vulnerabilities and countermeasures, graduates will be able to integrate security measures into their designs, protecting embedded systems from potential threats.
See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists analyze and interpret data to extract valuable insights and make informed decisions. While this course does not directly relate to data science, it may provide a foundation for understanding the security implications of data processing and storage. By gaining knowledge of hardware security vulnerabilities, graduates will be able to contribute to the development of secure data analytics solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems. This course may be indirectly beneficial by providing an understanding of hardware security considerations that impact software development. By gaining knowledge of hardware vulnerabilities and side channel analysis, graduates will be able to develop more secure and robust software applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect information assets from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course complements their knowledge by providing insights into hardware security vulnerabilities and countermeasures. By understanding physical attacks and side channel analysis, graduates will be able to identify and address hardware-related threats, enhancing the overall security of information systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
Forensic Analyst
Forensic Analysts investigate computer systems and networks to collect and analyze evidence for legal purposes. This course may provide a foundation for understanding the security implications of hardware design and operation. By gaining knowledge of hardware vulnerabilities and countermeasures, graduates will be able to conduct more thorough investigations and provide expert testimony on hardware-related incidents.
See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Analyst
Auditor
Auditors examine financial records and other documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. While this course may not be directly relevant to auditing, it may provide a foundational understanding of security risks and controls. By gaining knowledge of hardware security vulnerabilities, graduates may be able to contribute to the development of more effective audit procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Hardware Security.
Cover image
Hardware Security
Save
Provides a comprehensive treatment of the hardware security field, encompassing all essential topics, including threat models, design for security, side channels, hardware Trojans, and trusted IC design.
Hardware Security: Design, Threats, and Safeguards
Hardcover
$$$$
Hardware Security: Design, Threats, and Safeguards
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Side-Channel Analysis of Embedded Systems
Save
Focuses specifically on side-channel attacks, providing detailed coverage and practical techniques for understanding, detecting, and mitigating these threats in embedded systems.
Side-Channel Analysis of Embedded Systems: An...
Hardcover
$$$
Side-Channel Analysis of Embedded Systems: An...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Introduction to Hardware Security and Trust
Save
Provides a solid introduction to hardware security and trust concepts, covering fundamental principles, threats, countermeasures, and case studies.
Introduction to Hardware Security and Trust
Hardcover
$$$$
Introduction to Hardware Security and Trust
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Cryptographic Security Architecture
Save
Discusses trusted computing platforms, which are essential for implementing hardware security features, and provides insights into their design and applications.
Cryptographic Security Architecture: Design and...
Hardcover
$$$
Cryptographic Security Architecture: Design and...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
ARM System Developer's Guide
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of ARM system design, including topics relevant to hardware security, such as memory management, cache coherence, and interrupt handling.
ARM System Developer's Guide: Designing and...
Hardcover
$$$
ARM System Developer's Guide: Designing and...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Hardware/Software Co-Design
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Provides an overview of FPGA-based system design, including topics relevant to hardware security, such as design flows, hardware/software co-design, and security considerations.
Hardware/Software Co-Design: Principles and Practice
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Modern Cryptography
Save
Provides a comprehensive treatment of modern cryptography, including topics relevant to hardware security, such as cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and cryptanalysis.
Modern Cryptography: Theory and Practice
Hardcover
$$$
Modern Cryptography: Theory and Practice
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Security Engineering
Save
Offers a comprehensive guide to security engineering principles and practices, providing valuable insights into the design and implementation of secure systems.
Security Engineering: A Guide to Building...
Hardcover
$$
Personal Medical Information: Security, Engineering...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Security Engineering: A Guide to Building...
Paperback
$$$
Security Engineering, 2ed
Paperback
$$
Security Engineering and Tobias on Locks Two-Book...
Hardcover
$$$$
Security Engineering: A Guide to Building (text...
Unknown Binding
$$$$
Cover image
Computer Architecture
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Provides an overview of computer architecture, offering a good foundation for understanding the hardware aspects of digital systems security.
Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (The...
Paperback
$$$
Computer Organization and Design MIPS Edition: The...
Paperback
$$$
Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition:...
Paperback
$$$
Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Computer Organization and Design ARM Edition: The...
Paperback
$$$
Computer Organization and Design MIPS Edition: The...
Paperback
$$$$
Computer Organization and Design, Third Edition:...
Kindle Edition
$
Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 3rd...
Hardcover
$$
Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition:...
Paperback
$$$$
Computer Organization and Design: The...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Hacking Exposed 7
Save
Provides practical insights into various hacking techniques and countermeasures, complementing the course's focus on hardware security by offering a broader perspective on cybersecurity.
Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets and...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Digital Design
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of digital design principles and practices, serving as a good reference for understanding the basics of digital logic design covered in the course.
Digital Design: Principles and Practices, 4/e
Kindle Edition
$$
Digital Design: Principles and Practices Package...
Paperback
$$$
Digital Design: Principles and Practices, Third...
Hardcover
$$$
Transparency masters [for] Digital design:...
Unknown Binding
$$
Digital Design: & Xilinx 6.3 Student Edition &...
Hardcover
$$$$

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Rating
4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
12 hours to complete
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Maryland, College Park
Instructor
Gang Qu
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی
This course belongs to a collection called Cybersecurity. It's comprised of six courses:
  1. Hardware Security (viewing)
  2. Usable Security
  3. Software Security
  4. Cybersecurity Capstone Project
  5. Cryptography
  6. Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Strong reputation of Gang Qu, who is a distinguished professor in Hardware Security
Deep dive into the vulnerabilities in current digital system design flow and the physical attacks to these systems
Develops skills for building secure and trusted hardware
Course requires a background in digital logic design
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