Electrical and Computer Engineering

Hardware Security Lab

Research in the K-State Hardware Security Lab mainly focuses on developing formal methods for ensuring security and trustworthiness of hardware/cyber systems and has contributed several key solutions that have been widely acknowledged and referenced by the newly emerging scientific community in the area of trusted hardware. Our current work covers the hardware and software security co-verification, Internet-of-Things (IoT) system security analysis, Proof-carrying hardware (PCH)-based hardware security verification, as well as analog/mixed signal domain vulnerability analysis.

 

Photo of Xiaolong Guo

Xiaolong Guo

Assistant Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Kansas State University

Prior to joining the faculty at Kansas State University, Guo received his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from University of Florida (UF) in 2019. He also had been a research assistant in the Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World, as well as the Florida Institute for Cyber Security (FICS), both at UF.

His general research interests focus on applying formal verification into detecting hardware security or cyber security issues. Specifically, his current work covers the following areas:

  • Hardware and software security co-verification, a property-driven approach to protect the whole computer system including both hardware and software.
  • Internet-of-Things (IoT) system security analysis, this work is proposed to verify security properties on large-scale hardware designs, like System-on-Chip (SoC), using static program analysis, side-channel analysis as well as information flow tracking.
  • Proof-carrying hardware (PCH)-based hardware security verification, where the PCH framework is used to provide a comprehensive and effective security solution at different stages in the IC supply chain.
  • Analog/Mixed signal domain vulnerability analysis, an innovative and comprehensive framework for identification, detection, and mitigation of hidden analog vulnerabilities within complex digital circuits and systems.
Academic Highlights
  • Best Paper Nominate in 26th Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference (ASP-DAC), 2021.
  • Best Paper Award in IEEE Asian Hardware Oriented Security and Trust Symposium (AsianHOST), 2020.
  • Best Paper Award in Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition (DATE), 2019.

Openings

The K-State Hardware Security Lab has multiple openings for new Ph.D. students. Graduate research assistant (RA) positions are currently available. Full financial support is granted to all accepted students. Recruited students are expected to work in the areas of hardware security and cybersecurity areas.

Preferred education/experience:
  1. Students majoring in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, communications or related areas are welcome to apply.
  2. Preference will be given to the candidates with any of the following experiences/skills:
    • Programming skill: Python, Java, C/C++ programming; functional language, Verilog/VHDL
    • Cybersecurity: background knowledge, security competitions, etc.
    • Program analysis or formal verification tools: model checker, Coq, Z3 solver, KLEE, etc.
    • Embedded system, FPGA design and implementation

If you are interested in this position, submit your CV (including your education and project/research/work experiences) to Professor Xiaolong Guo at guoxiaolong@k-state.edu.