NYU Abu Dhabi hosted a talk by Prof. Debdeep Mukhopadhyay on the intersection of machine learning and hardware security. The talk covered using ML/DL for side-channel attacks, leakage assessment in crypto-devices, and threats to hardware security primitives. Prof. Mukhopadhyay is a visiting professor at NYU Abu Dhabi and Institute Chair Professor at IIT Kharagpur. Why it matters: The talk highlights the growing importance of hardware security in modern systems and the role of machine learning in both attacking and defending hardware vulnerabilities.
Abdulrahman Mahmoud, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, discusses software-directed tools and techniques for processor design and reliability enhancement in ML systems. He emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to numerical data formats supported by robust hardware. He advocates for integrating reliability as a foundational element in the design process. Why it matters: This research addresses the critical challenge of hardware reliability in AI processors, particularly relevant as the field moves towards hardware-software co-design for sustained growth.
Technology Innovation Institute's (TII) Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) is integrating machine learning (ML) techniques into signal processing to accelerate research. One project used convolutional neural networks to predict COVID-19 pneumonia from chest x-rays with 97.5% accuracy. DERC researchers also demonstrated that ML-based signal and image processing can retrieve up to 68% of text information from electromagnetic emanations. Why it matters: This adoption of ML for signal processing at TII highlights the potential for advanced AI techniques to enhance research and security applications in the UAE.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj from MBZUAI and TII discussed the impact of quantum computers and machine learning on cryptographic algorithms. The talk covered post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) schemes, standardization efforts, and the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity solutions. Dr. Aaraj also highlighted the challenges of transitioning current cryptographic systems to quantum-resistant alternatives. Why it matters: As quantum computing advances, understanding and implementing post-quantum cryptography is crucial for maintaining secure communications and data protection in the UAE and globally.
KAUST researchers have designed an integrated circuit logic lock to protect electronic devices from cyberattacks. The protective logic locks are based on spintronics and can be incorporated into electronic chips. The lock uses a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) where the keys are stored in tamper-proof memory, ensuring hardware security. Why it matters: This hardware-based security feature could significantly increase confidence in globalized integrated circuit manufacturing, protecting against counterfeiting and malicious modifications.