Context

This internship aims at implementing hardware accelerators to accelerate masking countermeasures against side-channel attacks, for post-quantum cryptography implementations.

Side-channel attacks

Side-channel attacks consist in recovering executed instructions or data manipulated by a processor by analysing the processor's power consumption or electromagnetic emissions. Defending against these attacks is crucial as they are very efficient to find cryptographic keys.

Masking countermeasures, and their application to post-quantum cryptography

Masking is a commonly used defence technique that involves encoding the encryption key by mixing it with random numbers. Exclusive OR operations (Boolean masking) or addition (arithmetic masking) are commonly used to perform this mixing. The encryption algorithm is then carried out using the encoded data. The application of masking to post-quantum algorithm implementations is the subject of active research in the state of the art, particularly with a view to improving performance. A combined use of Boolean and arithmetic masking is sometimes necessary, leading in particular to computationally expensive conversions between these two types of masking.

Intership objectives

During the internship, the candidate will implement new hardware accelerators for masking on FPGAs and compare them in terms of security, area and latency with existing accelerators. These new accelerators will target features commonly used to secure post-quantum cryptography implementations, such as masking conversions.

Work Environment

This internship will take place in Grenoble, at the CEA-LIST institute. The student will join a multidisciplinary team comprising experts in embedded systems, cyber-security for the Internet of Things, and hardware design.

What are we looking for?

You are pursuing a Master’s degree in software or hardware engineering. You have at least basic understanding of software programming and FPGA programming, and are interested in the field of IT security. Knowledge of side-channel attacks and assembly language programming is an advantage, though not essential.

Still not sure? Here’s what we offer:

• The opportunity to work within a world-renowned organisation in the field of scientific research,
• A unique environment dedicated to ambitious projects addressing today’s major societal challenges,
• An experience at the cutting edge of innovation, with strong potential for industrial development,
• Exceptional experimental facilities and high-quality supervision,
• Genuine career opportunities following your placement
• Working in the heart of the Grenoble metropolitan area, easily accessible via the sustainable transport options promoted by the CEA,
• An 85 per cent contribution towards public transport costs,
• A recognised work-life balance,
• A staff canteen,
• A diversity and inclusion policy,

In line with the CEA’s commitments to the inclusion of people with disabilities, this vacancy is open to all. The CEA offers adjustments and/or organisational arrangements to facilitate the inclusion of employees with disabilities.