Special Seminar - Jakub Szefer, “Securing the Next-Generation of Computing Architectures: From Classical to Quantum”

Abstract: 
Constant emergence of new computer systems, architectures, and hardware require us to study their security and design protections before adversaries may exploit any of their vulnerabilities. In parallel, any new systems, architectures, or hardware we develop ourselves need to be secure from the ground up. In this talk I will present my recent research on two critical challenges in computer architecture: post-quantum security and quantum computer security. The two distinct, yet intertwined research directions build the necessary foundation for secure, next-generation computing architectures. As the world prepares to transition to post-quantum cryptography, driven by ongoing standardizations efforts and an industry push, my research develops efficient and secure accelerator architectures for different and novel types of cryptographic algorithms. In the first part of the talk, I will present a selection of my research results on post-quantum security, demonstrating hardware accelerator designs that are both efficient and free of timing side channels. In the second part of the talk, I will focus on quantum computer security. There is today an explosion of research and commercial deployment of cloud-based quantum computing systems – yet security of these systems has not been systematically analyzed. To show how I address the research needs, I will present a selection of my research on discovering security weaknesses in real quantum computing architectures, as well as principled development of security mechanisms to protect these quantum computers from attacks, while maintain high fidelity and limiting overheads. In the concluding remarks, I will provide a roadmap for my future research directions on building secure foundation for next-generation computing architectures.

Bio:
Prof. Jakub Szefer’s research focuses on computer architecture and hardware security: it encompasses security of processor architectures, cloud computing architectures, reconfigurable logic, post-quantum cryptographic accelerators, and most recently, quantum computers. Jakub is the author of “Principles of Secure Processor Architecture Design”, published in 2018, the first book in the field to focus on processor architecture security. He is further a co-editor of a book on “Security of FPGA-Accelerated Cloud Computing Environments”, published in 2023. Among others, he has received academic recognition through the NSF CAREER award, industry recognition through being finalist in the Bell Labs Prize, and mentoring and teaching recognition through Yale’s Ackerman Award. Jakub received B.S. degree with highest honors from UIUC, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton. Currently he is an associate professor at Yale University.