Accuracy of side-channel attacks "Better quantum sensors expose weaknesses in chip design"

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Quantum sensors can capture various side-channel information that cannot be captured with conventional sensors. A higher resolution and sensitivity is key. Dr. Roman Bansen from the Cyber Agency on details of the research project.

Quantum sensors can identify side channel attacks on microchips. Quantum sensors are known for their superior resolution and sensitivity, which could signify a significant advancement in security research and technology. Thanks to their higher resolution, they capture finer details of electromagnetic emissions and other physical quantities that are not detectable with conventional sensors.

How this can look in detail and how and how quantum sensors can specifically help is explained by Dr. Roman Bansen. He is Head of Quantum Technologies in the Key Technologies department of the Cyber Agency.

Dr Bansen, what types of side-channel information can be captured by quantum sensors that conventional sensors cannot detect?

First, one must realize that quantum sensors are a collective term for a variety of different sensors that make use of quantum mechanical effects. In principle, almost all relevant physical measurement quantities can be recorded with these different sensor approaches. So there is not one or a few selected pieces of information that can only be detected with quantum sensors.

Rather, the project is about finding out through the comparison of side channel attacks with established classical sensor technology and quantum sensor technology where existing methods could become faster, better or more accurate, or whether completely new information could be used. Overall, improved sensors for the analysis of side channel attacks could enable more precise and comprehensive measurements of various electronic chips, which could lead to a better understanding of their operation or the cryptographic operations performed on them. This could uncover vulnerabilities in the design or implementation of the chips, which could promote the development of safer and more reliable systems.

How does the higher resolution and sensitivity of quantum sensors affect the accuracy of side-channel attacks?

Better sensors for side channel attacks on electronic chips - regardless of whether they are quantum sensors or classic sensors—could lead to improvements. This includes a higher lateral resolution, which would not only allow the measurement of the electromagnetic fields generated by the chip on the scale of entire blocks, but down to individual circuits and possibly even individual transistors. This could serve to understand the behavior of the chip much better and identify possible weak points.

Another point is the higher temporal resolution. This would allow the measurement of higher frequency signals, which could be used to better understand the temporal processes of the chip and to uncover possible vulnerabilities. A higher measurement sensitivity would allow the measurement of weaker signals. This could also capture signals that would otherwise be overlaid by noise or other disturbances.

A higher measurement sensitivity would enable the measurement of weaker signals.

Dr Roman Bansen

With a greater measurement distance to the chip, measurements could be made without the need for extreme proximity or direct contact with the chip. This could, for example, enable measurement scenarios in which the chip does not need to be specially ground thinner or when it is embedded in a larger device.

In addition to possible improvements in these areas, improvements in other measurement variables could open up new attack vectors, such as in acoustic measurement—i.e., the measurement of sounds inaudible to humans that a chip emits. But there may also be completely new ideas that we haven't even thought of yet.

A not to be underestimated aspect is the fact that seemingly mundane things like the size or manufacturing cost of sensors can have huge impacts. Thus, it is conceivable that measurements, which today are only possible with great technical or financial effort, could be carried out in the future with quantum sensor technology at a fraction of the price at home on the desk. This would have major implications for necessary protective mechanisms even in chips in uncritical areas, even if the resolution or sensitivity of the quantum sensors is not higher, maybe even a bit lower than that of the more expensive and larger classical sensors.

How could the further development of quantum sensor technology impact the security of microchips in the coming years?

In general, the development of improved sensors and the discovery of new vulnerabilities in microchips can be considered a cycle of continuous improvements, where advances in measurement technology lead to the discovery of new vulnerabilities, which in turn drive the development of improved security measures and chip designs.

As a whole range of new quantum sensors will be pushing onto the sensor market in the foreseeable future, there is a risk that this cycle of continuous improvement on both sides will be interrupted. In the worst case, this could give side channel attacks a significant advantage and make established chip security systems vulnerable for years to come. That is why it is so important to deal as early as possible with what quantum sensors potentially offer and how information could be gleaned on specific paths.

Based on this information, countermeasures that are necessary and effective can then be considered in conjunction with the chip manufacturers. Relevant institutions such as the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) could then develop appropriate guidelines.

(heh)

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Link: Side-channel attacks with quantum sensor technology (SCA-QS). Details on the Cyber Agency's website.