Grand Idea Studio’s training courses, taught exclusively by Joe Grand, focus on hands-on learning and aim to provide a fun, educational experience. All courses can be tailored for a specific audience or objective. Please visit the Events page for currently scheduled sessions or contact us for more information.

Hands-On Hardware Hacking and Reverse Engineering Techniques

Download the Course Outline

Abstract:

This course focuses 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)

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.

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 has something for everyone, from the beginner hobbyist or computer security professional with no electronics experience to a hacker well-versed in hardware. 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/Vista/7 (or equivalent virtual machine) and containing a functional USB interface and a DB-9 serial port (or USB-to-serial adapter). The laptop will be used to control the test equipment used in the course (software and drivers will need to be installed).

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