Trusted Computing with Attestation

Welcome to Trusted Computing with Attestation

Description: Trusted Computing is becoming increasingly popular as organizations and device makers look for stronger security solutions. Remote Attestation (RA) is the mail building block of Trusted Computing. RA has been proposed as a promising security protocol that detects the malware presence on an untrusted platform.
This PhD-level course provides an in-depth exploration of trusted computing with a particular focus on attestation mechanisms. Students are introduced to various hardware-rooted trust anchors such as TPMs and DICE, and lightweight architectures (TyTAN, TrustLite, SMART, SANCUS). The course combines theoretical lectures, hands-on labs, and research seminars to demonstrate how these technologies establish system integrity, secure boot, sealed storage and remote attestation. 
Participants will critically evaluate strengths, limitations, vulnerabilities and complete a research-oriented project report. 

Prerequisites: A basic understanding of cryptography and programming skills (in C/C++ or a similar language) is beneficial but not mandatory. The course is designed to be accessible to students with varied backgrounds.

Learning objectives: Critical analysis of the principles of trusted computing technologies with particular focus on their attestation capabilities. 
Evaluate strengths, limitations and vulnerabilities of trusted computing technologies, considering technical, ethical and societal implications.
Conduct independent research on advanced topics in trusted computing. 
Communicate complex trusted computing concepts effectively through written reports.

Organizer: Edlira Dushku

Lecturers: Edlira Dushku

ECTS: 2.0

Date: Date Month Year

Place: Aalborg University

City: Copenhagen

Maximal number of participants: 15

Open for enrolment: 9. July 2026

Deadline for enrolment: 19. October 2026

Important information concerning PhD courses: There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

You may find more information in our FAQ: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/local/page/faq 

For inquiries not described in the FAQ, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk. When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.