Grand Idea Studio's training courses, taught exclusively by Joe Grand, focus on hands-on learning and aim to provide a fun, educational experience. Please visit here for currently scheduled sessions.

All courses can be tailored for a specific audience or objective. Grand Idea Studio is available to teach at industry conferences or private events. Contact us for more information.

Hands-On Hardware Hacking and Reverse Engineering Techniques: Black Hat Edition

This two-day course is taught by Joe Grand and is available at Black Hat, Inc. events.

Download the Course Outline

Abstract:

This course is the first of its kind. We focus entirely on hardware hacking and techniques to defeat the security of hardware products. It's hands-on. Not only do we, as hackers, explore reverse engineering and hardware hacking processes through step-by-step experiments, we also look at defense mechanisms and technologies that we, as designers, can use to protect our products from attackers.

We'll guide you through an introduction to embedded security, explore the basic electronics fundamentals and common test equipment, and then dive into tips and techniques of successful circuit modifications and hardware hacking. The course culminates with an all-out assault by the students to break the security of a custom-designed circuit board.

Learning Objectives:

• Familiarity with basic electronic components and theories
• General use of test measurement equipment
• Understand the mindset of a hardware hacker and why he does what he does
• Gain knowledge of how to successfully reverse engineer products
• Learn about embedded security, ways to design hardware securely, and ways to defeat those mechanisms
• Become confident that you can open a piece of hardware without breaking it (and maybe how to fix it if you do)

By the time the student finishes the class, the student will have the confidence and experience to modify and tinker with electronics and hardware-based products, reverse engineer circuitry and new technologies, and evaluate the security of his own products. The student will also become familiar with the mindset of a hardware hacker, basic electronics concepts, and how to use common test measurement tools.

Although the course is more focused on hardware hacking techniques and the reverse engineering of existing products, the course will also examine many of the topics from a designer's point of view to enable him to properly incorporate security into his own hardware products and protect them from attackers.

All of the demonstrations, examples, and techniques taught in the course can be extrapolated into the student's own product or situation.

What to Expect:

This two-day class is a crash course in electronics, hardware hacking, and reverse engineering. The first day introduces the students to the basic concepts of hardware hacking and electronics, common hardware hacking tools, embedded security, and some hands-on techniques. The second day continues with the fundamentals of reverse engineering, more hardware hacking experiments, and a look at state-of-the-art, advanced hardware hacking techniques. The class concludes with a full-scale, hands-on hardware hacking challenge to break the security of a custom-designed circuit board performed individually or in small groups.

Students should expect to get their hands dirty with some basic electronics construction and reverse engineering exercises. The student should come into the class with an open mind and a sense of humor. Expect to leave the course with a smile on your face and a hacked circuit board around your neck.

Each student will be presented with the following materials and resources to be used and referenced throughout the course:

• Electronics measurement tools, including a multimeter, digital oscilloscope, soldering iron, and device programmer
• Safety equipment
• All other necessary tools, components, and circuitry

Following successful completion of the course, each student will leave with:

• Grand Idea Studio's custom hardware hacking training circuit board
• CD-ROM containing the course lecture slides and copious research papers, notes, and references

Who Should Attend:

The target audience for this course is computer security consultants, design engineers, technical management, senior management, and any other individuals who are looking for a hands-on experience of hacking, reverse engineering, and analyzing hardware products.

The course aims to educate everyone, from the beginner hobbyist or curious computer security professional with no electronics experience, to the self-proclaimed "gadget geek." Whether you like to get your hands dirty with hacking hardware or you just are curious about how hackers will reverse engineer your products, this course will be of benefit.

No electronics, hardware hacking, or computer security experience is necessary. Since each individual's knowledge and skill sets vary, we start with the basic concepts to bring everyone up to speed.

What to Bring:

Students are required to bring their own laptop running Windows XP (virtual machine running under OS X is OK) and containing a functional USB interface and a DB-9 serial port (or equivalent USB-to-serial adapter). The laptop will be used for web-based research and to control the test equipment used in the course (software and drivers will be installed, but can be removed at the end of the course).

No loaner laptops will be available. Students who do not bring a laptop or who have laptops running other operating systems may work with a willing partner for the hands-on exercises that require Windows.

Reviews:

"This was the best class I've taken in years. Hacking is back!" - Anonymous

"Awesome! Course was an excellent mix of ground concepts, high level materials, and advanced concepts and attacks. Tons of hands on mixed with a fun and interesting lecture. Loved it." - Anonymous

"This was hands down the best course I have ever taken. Joe is a wonderful instructor. I am a definite hardware convert." - Anonymous

"An excellent mix of theoretical and hands-on work. The most fun I've had in a training course in a long time." - Steve Wilson

"Fun course! Enjoyed the hands-on segment. The instructor was able to keep my interest for the full two days!" - Anonymous

"The hands-on portion of the class is invaluable! Joe was an entertaining and knowledgeable trainer." - Anonymous

"This guy rocks!" - Anonymous