Hardware hacking and reverse engineering

The Basic course teaches fundamental hardware hacking concepts and techniques used to reverse engineer and defeat the security of electronic devices. The course concludes with a hands-on hardware hacking challenge to defeat the security of a custom-designed circuit board. No prior hardware or electronics experience is required.

The Advanced course focuses on advanced hardware hacking tools and techniques commonly used by digital forensic investigators. It is a hands-on environment where students will access and exploit various real-world products.

Both courses are two days in length. It is required that you have completed the Basic course, either this time or in the past, before attending the Advanced course.

Content

The Basic course combines lecture and hands-on exercises for the following topics:

• The hardware hacking process
• Tools and test measurement equipment
• Soldering and desoldering
• Circuit board reverse engineering and modification
• Signal identification and monitoring
• Hands-on techniques and skill building

You will conclude with a hardware hacking challenge to defeat the security mechanism of a custom-designed circuit board.

A complete agenda for the Basic course is available here. 

The Advanced course combines lecture and hands-on exercises for the following topics:

• Hardware implants and espionage
• JTAG discovery
• Firmware/memory extraction
• Side channel attacks
• Fault injection
• Forensic-focused challenges with real-world products

A complete agenda for the Advanced course is available here. 

Objectives

Once you have successfully completed the courses you will have:

• An understanding of the hardware hacking process, mindset, and purpose
• Hands-on experience with the most commonly used techniques
• Confidence to apply learned skills to devices outside the classroom

Target group

Preferably from ENFSI-labs and/or NATO countries:

• digital police investigators
• forensic investigators in other law-enforcement agencies

Dates and duration

Dates

• Basic: 29 - 30 October 2024
• Advanced: 31 October - 1 November 2024

The 2024 edition is fully booked

Dates 2025

• Basic: 14 - 15 October 2025
• Advanced: 16 - 17 October 2025

Duration
Two consecutive days per training, 9.00-17.00 h

Location

Netherlands Forensic Institute in The Hague, The Netherlands

Costs

• Basic training: € 2395,- per participant
• Advanced training: €2395,- per participant
• Package deal both trainings:  € 4690,- per participant
• Dutch Police: please fill out the registration form, ask for a quotation in the field Remarks. Selection may take place by a police coordinator.

N.B.: No VAT will be added.

This includes slides and other reference documentation, lunches, refreshments and Grand Idea Studio’s custom hardware hacking training circuit board.

Hotel and travel costs are not included.

Materials

• Students should bring their own x86/x64-based laptop running Windows 7 or later (administrator access is required, within a virtual machine is OK) and containing two USB Type A sockets. Using a USB-C to USB-A adapter should work fine for all exercises. An ARM-based laptop will not work for all exercises.
• The laptop will be used to control test equipment and hardware hacking tools. Software and drivers will need to be installed.
• Participants will be provided with all tools and materials necessary for  the course, including a soldering iron, multimeter, logic analyzer, device programmer, safety equipment, and the custom hardware hacking training circuit board (to keep).

Note

The course is taught in English.

More information and registration

For more information, please complete our contact form. Please indicate on the contact form which training/course you are interested in.

For registration, please complete the registration form. If a quotation is needed, please fill out the registration form, ask for a quotation in the field Remarks.