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Overview
This two-day comprehensive course, from the world renown hardware hacker Joe Grande, teaches fundamental hardware hacking concepts and techniques used to reverse engineer and defeat the security of electronic devices.
Combining lecture and hands-on exercises, it provides students with the skills, resources, and confidence needed to explore, manipulate, and exploit electronic systems. This course only available as a private class, taught virtually or in-person, minimum participation 12 learners.
Learners will be provided with the following course materials:
- Grand Idea Studio’s custom training circuit board (one for each student to keep)
- Lecture slides (in electronic format)
- Hardware hacking reference material and software tools (in electronic format)
- Hardware hacking equipment, including soldering iron, multi-meter, logic analyser, and device programmer.
Additional advanced hardware hacking courses are available upon request for private delivery, for 12 minimum participants.
- Firmware Extraction and Manipulation
- Defeating Microcontroller Code Protection
- Hardware Implants and Espionage
Prerequisites
No prior hardware experience is required.
Delegates will learn how to
- Describe and understand the hardware hacking process, mindset, and purpose
- Hands-on experience with useful and relevant techniques
- Confidence to apply learned skills to electronic systems outside the classroom
Outline
Module 1 - Hardware Hacking Overview
- Overview of hardware hacking
Module 2 - Information Gathering
- How to gather information before you start hardware hacking
Module 3 - Product Teardown
Opening housings
- Product assembly/disassembly methods
- Anti-tamper mechanisms
- Hands-on exercise: Defeat epoxy encapsulation
Component identification
- Discrete components
- Integrated circuits
- Finding and reading data sheets
- Hands-on exercise: Identify target components
Module 4 - Schematics and PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards)
- Creating/reading schematics
- PCB construction/fabrication methods
- Hands-on exercise: Modify target PCB
Module 5 - Soldering and Desoldering
- Tips/techniques
- Hands-on exercise: Soldering
- Hands-on exercise: Desoldering
Module 6 - Buses and Interfaces
Identifying interfaces
Determining pin function
- Hands-on exercise: Measurements w/ multi-meter
- Hands-on exercise: Create block diagram/schematic
Signal monitoring and analysis
- Tools/techniques
- Serial communications interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI)
- Hands-on exercise: Signal monitoring w/ logic analyser
- Hands-on exercise: Digital decoding w/ logic analyser
- Hands-on exercise: Interactive console via UART
Module 7 - Signal/Data Manipulation
- Tools/techniques/examples
- Debug interfaces (vendor-specific, JTAG)
- Fault injection/glitching overview
Module 8 - Memory and Firmware
- Memory types
- Hands-on exercise: Extract/modify data from EEPROM
- Security/code protection bypass examples
- Firmware analysis tools/techniques
Module 9 - Hardware Hacking Challenge
Apply the knowledge and skills learned in the course to defeat the security mechanism of a custom electronic device.
Testimonials
ANONYMOUS
This was one of the best training classes I have ever been to. The instructor’s emphasis on design philosophies and systematic deconstruction provided me with a clear hacking flowchart.
ANONYMOUS
Joe Grand’s passion, enthusiasm, and command of the class is inspiring in itself.
ANONYMOUS
Outstanding course. Joe was a great instructor and made the course very friendly, informative and enjoyable!
QA are proud to be the UK partner for Grand Idea Studio
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Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting (more details in the link below) to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.