The Semiconductor Microelectronics, Assurance, Resilience, and Trust (SMART) research laboratory is located at Wright State University in the Joshi Research Center 490 within the Computer Science and Engineering Department. This state-of-the-art facility is a hub for cutting-edge research in hardware security and trust.
Led by Assistant Professor Fathi Amsaad, the SMART laboratory is home to a dedicated research team comprising undergraduate and graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher. Together, they work collaboratively to explore and address various challenges in hardware security. Researchers delve into the intricacies of ensuring the reliability and security of semiconductor devices, with a specific emphasis on trusted printed circuit boards (PCBs) and hardware-enabled security measures.
The laboratory’s research spans a wide range of areas, with a particular focus on cryptographic hardware and embedded system security and trust (CHEST). This includes investigating the integrity and security of microelectronic components and exploring techniques to enhance their trustworthiness and resilience. The laboratory also strongly emphasizes AI-assisted Additive Manufacturing (3-D) Security. The team conducts in-depth studies on the security implications and vulnerabilities associated with 3D printing processes. They aim to develop strategies and methodologies that protect against counterfeiting, unauthorized reproduction, and other potential risks throughout the entire additive manufacturing lifecycle.
Another area of expertise in the SMART laboratory is Design for Trusted System-on-Chip (SoC). This field involves enhancing the security and trustworthiness of critical components, including memory, microprocessors, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The researchers focus on developing hardware-enabled security techniques that defend against invasive physical attacks and safeguard against tampering, cloning, overbuilding, and reverse engineering.
Consumer Electronics Counterfeit Detection is crucial to the laboratory’s research endeavors. The team explores innovative methods to authenticate and verify the integrity of electronic chips and systems. By detecting counterfeit or compromised components, they contribute to consumer electronics’ overall security and reliability.
The SMART laboratory also delves into emerging technologies, with a particular focus on hardware security challenges in the Internet of Things (IoT) domain. They strive to develop robust security measures for IoT devices, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data transmitted within these interconnected systems. Moreover, the researchers investigate hardware security in the context of secure AI cloud computing. They analyze potential vulnerabilities and devise effective security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of AI-based cloud platforms.
Finally, the laboratory conducts comprehensive vulnerability analyses, specifically focusing on side channels such as electromagnetic (EM), power, and timing. By understanding these vulnerabilities, the researchers can develop effective countermeasures that mitigate the risk of side-channel attacks.
Overall, the SMART research laboratory at Wright State University plays a crucial role in advancing the field of hardware security and trust. Through their innovative research and collaborative efforts, the team aims to contribute to the development of secure and trustworthy hardware systems that have significant applications in various domains, including military, consumer electronics, and emerging technologies.
Research Statement
At the SMART research lab, students pursue novel research in different topics, including Novel Hardware Security Primitives, i.e., SRAM/DRAM PUFs, TRNGs, Lightweight Hardware-based Cryptography, etc.; AI-enabled and Zero Trust for Hardware Trojan Detection and Mitigation; PCB Trojan Desgin and Insertions; Inspection and Detection of Fault Injection Attacks (i.e., Laser Fault Injections); Integrated Hardware/Software Obfuscation; Trusted Heterogeneous Integration and Packaging, IoT/IIoT/IoMT Cybersecurity; AI and Blockchain-enabled Cryptography; Federated and Deep Learning for Medical and Biological Applications; and Efficient and Secure AI Distributed Cloud Computing