PhD positions: securing Internet-enabled consumer devices

With the rapid incorporation of Internet-enabled technologies into our everyday lives, we no longer have direct control over with whom and what our devices communicate. Hacked devices acting on a network can cause significant damage and provide a new playground for attackers. The number of devices that run potentially vulnerable software has exploded, and vulnerabilities are increasingly being discovered in the software running on these devices. To keep up with the number of services that must be vetted for vulnerabilities, a new approach is required. We are looking for 2 ambitious motivated individuals to pursue a PhD on securing the IoT from an interdisciplinary point of view.

The goal of these PhDs is to prevent intrusions by identifying vulnerable IoT devices, extract relevant information about their vulnerabilities, asses the overall risk and create appropriate countermeasures. The envisioned tasks involve (ii) identifying vulnerable IoT devices through internet measurements and fingerprinting, (2) mapping vulnerability to atomic elements of the IoT devices based on public data, (3) evaluate and reduce of the overall risk.

The selected applicant will not be alone but will become part of a team of more than 20 researchers investigating different aspects related so the security our daily lives. This project will also provide the unique opportunity to work with private companies but also with governmental and public bodies. On top of that, the PhDs will also have the opportunity to present your work in international venues and interact with the people that are shaping the future of a secure society