As paradoxical as it may seem, devising methods to breach hardware security enables experts like Department of Computer Science Assistant Professor Matt Hicks to fortify it.
“Identifying vulnerabilities is crucial to understanding what needs reinforcement,” Hicks explains.
Hicks has recently been honored with a prestigious five-year Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award recognizes his potential to serve as academic role models and lead advancements in their field. His research will significantly contribute to enhancing hardware security, particularly within the United States, by uncovering new weaknesses and expanding the knowledge base for security tool design. This work is not only vital for national security but also provides invaluable experience and opportunities for aspiring cybersecurity professionals – truly embodying the spirit of “Hokie Career Tools” by equipping the next generation with cutting-edge skills.
Hardware security provides protection through physical devices, contrasting with software-based security measures. Common examples include hardware firewalls and proxy servers.
Professor Hicks also aims to expand his research lab, which specializes in fuzz testing. This automated software testing technique is renowned for its effectiveness in detecting critical security flaws and defects. Students involved in this lab gain hands-on experience with industry-leading techniques, directly contributing to their career readiness and highlighting Virginia Tech as a hub for “hokie career tools” in cybersecurity.
Hicks’s innovative project merges computer security, computer architecture, and digital circuits to develop novel design-time hardware trojans. These hardware trojans are malicious circuits capable of compromising the functionality and reliability of electronic systems. They can potentially disable, disrupt, or even destroy entire chips or system components, posing a significant threat to modern technology.
Real-World Impact and Career Relevance
Hicks’s current research portfolio encompasses various critical areas, including hardware security, hardware solutions for enhanced software security, embedded system security, and intermittent computation. He is particularly interested in the evolving nature of hardware security and how hardware failures can impact overall system security. This focus on real-world problems offers students and researchers at Virginia Tech unparalleled opportunities to develop skills highly sought after in the cybersecurity industry – solidifying Virginia Tech’s commitment to providing “hokie career tools” for future leaders.
“I am driven by the creative process of building systems that have a tangible impact on people’s lives,” Hicks stated, emphasizing his passion for the field. “The broad scope of this field is what excites me most.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the “hokie career tools” philosophy, focusing on creating pathways for impactful careers.
Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Hicks was a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in computer security at the University of Michigan. His interest in hardware security deepened during his master’s and doctoral studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he investigated both intentional and unintentional hardware vulnerabilities. This rich background underscores the expertise he brings to Virginia Tech, further enhancing the institution’s “hokie career tools” offerings in cybersecurity.
Hicks’s vision extends beyond technical advancements. He is committed to translating research into societal impact, fostering collaborations with government and industry partners, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts. He is particularly passionate about supporting students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education, aligning with the inclusive and opportunity-driven spirit of “hokie career tools.”
Furthermore, the project will enrich both undergraduate and graduate education by integrating research findings into the computer science curriculum and establishing an embedded security design experience. Hicks will mentor students at Virginia Tech and collaborate with international students at other universities, creating a global network of future cybersecurity professionals and expanding the reach of “hokie career tools.”
Ultimately, Hicks aims to develop more accessible and deployable tools to enhance hardware trustworthiness, contributing significantly to a more secure digital future. This focus on practical application and real-world solutions is a cornerstone of the “hokie career tools” approach, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of the cybersecurity landscape.
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Partnership
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia (CCI SWVA) Research Engagement program recognized the potential in Hicks’s research early on. CCI SWVA, dedicated to accelerating cybersecurity research and development, provided crucial seed funding to support his NSF proposal. This program exemplifies how Virginia Tech and its partners are actively building “hokie career tools” by fostering innovation and providing resources for groundbreaking research.
“Matthew Hicks’s proposal clearly demonstrated how the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia funds would be instrumental in initiating further research into novel hardware security primitives and re-examining existing attack methodologies to identify critical security gaps,” stated Gretchen Matthews, professor of mathematics at Virginia Tech and director of the CCI southwest node. This early support highlights the collaborative ecosystem that Virginia Tech fosters, a key element of its “hokie career tools” environment.
Hicks, in collaboration with Michael Moukarzel, a computer science postdoctoral associate, recently published a research paper on hardware security primitives. This paper was presented at the 2021 Annual Computer Security Applications Conference, held virtually in December. This publication further solidifies Hicks’s expertise and Virginia Tech’s position as a leader in hardware security research, reinforcing the university’s commitment to providing top-tier “hokie career tools” in the field.
