Job description
We are always interested in discussing thesis projects with skilled students. If your profile and competence fit our needs, we will together find a thesis project that fits your background and aims. Don’t hesitate to send in your ideas. A thesis project with good results could result in an excellent opportunity for employment at Sectra.
We offer thesis work for passionate people for whom doing “that little bit extra” is part of everyday life. The projects focus on a range of different areas, but we are always open to discussing any ideas that you may have. Only thesis projects at the Master’s level are offered.
Master’s thesis project:
Introduction
Interested in exploring the latest trends in cybersecurity and cryptography? This master thesis project is concerned with how to secure cryptographic devices with Physical Unclonable Functions(PUF).
Securing cryptographic devices from hardware attacks such as Side-Channel Attacks is a difficult and important step in developing any physical cryptographic system. If an attacker were to be able to read out the secret cryptographic keys used in the encryption process the entire system would be compromised. Thus, the most important information that needs to be protected is the secret encryptions keys. The most common way of storing cryptographic keys within a device is in a memory that can be zeroed on command. Although this is the most common way there are risks with storing keys within devices, another way is by using an enclosing PUF. A PUF is a physical entity from which a key is generated from its physical attributes. Enclosing the cryptographic device with a PUF would then result in that if the PUF is tampered with, its physical attributes will be changed resulting in an destroyed key. Thus, making it impossible to gather any information about the cryptographic device without first destroying the secret keys.
The project
This master thesis project is concerned with developing a proof-of-concept PUF on a printed circuit board with corresponding measuring circuitry. From this a cryptographic key should be able to be derived and processed.
The project is suitable for one/(preferable two) master students from the ED/Y programs, with at least a basic PCB CAD course, analog electronics course and general programming knowledge. Some desirable experiences or courses are FPGA development(VHDL), Digital Signal Processing, security and cryptography courses.
The project will be carried out at Sectra. Due to the nature of Sectra’s product development a Swedish citizenship is required.
Qualifications
General qualifications for Master’s thesis at Sectra:
- Enrolled in a Master’s program in software engineering or similar, with a strong academic record.
- Fluency in English and Swedish.
- Swedish citizenship
We are looking for individuals who are committed to what they do, have excellent grades and the drive to become skilled quickly. We would like to see a strong interest in technology, and solid experience from software development is very positive.
Please make sure to attach your CV, cover letter and grades from both university and gymnasium/upper-secondary school in your application.
Contact Hiring Manager
If you have any questions about this job, please contact:
Lisa Lindstrand, Group Manager, Product Development Sectra Communications
E-mail: career@sectra.com
Read more about working at Sectra
The start date for this position will be the spring of 2021.
Apply before
20-Dec-2020
About us
Sectra Communications provides security solutions to ensure that organizations and individual users can meet their continuous need for secure communications. Users include European defense ministries, government authorities and other critical functions of society. Our solutions are approved at national levels and by the EU and NATO, and pave the way for communications that will lead to a more secure and stable world.
