Research Instrumentation for Advanced Hardware Reverse Engineering and Integrated Circuit Imaging
Abstract
We are requesting an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with multiple scanning modes (scanning capacitance, spreading resistance and magnetic) to develop our research program on hardware security, and more specifically, understanding the implications of integrated circuit (IC) reverse engineering on security and forensics of next generation hardware devices for critical infrastructure and national defense. The AFM will contribute towards two broad research efforts that are already underway at NYU. Next generation devices, particularly those used in energy constrained environments are likely to use different types of non-volatile memory solutions. The data stored in these memories will include secret keys, biometrics, and other proprietary information. Can the data on these memories be extracted even if, for security reasons, the JTAG port and other access ports are protected? If so, what are the implications for security and forensics? And finally, if it is possible to extract secret bits based on microscopy, what can we do to defend against such attacks. To answer this final question, we need to have a good understanding of the attackerÕs capabilities. Recent work has suggested that, indeed, an AFM in capacitance mode can recover such secret information from Flash. We plan to build similar capabilities at NYU but expand the scope to emerging technologies like MRAM and ReRAM. The next question deals with IC camouflaging, an approach used to defend against attackers who try to extract the IC logic details using optical microscopy. Recently, in response to a call from DARPA, we have been investigated camouflaged cells whose functionality is doping concentration dependent. The security of our solution is intrinsically linked to the attackerÕs ability to extract doping concentrations using SCM or SSRM. However, this question is poorly addressed in literature and is the second motivation behind our request for the equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1610301
Entities
People
- Siddharth Garg
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- New York University
- United States Army