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Centre for Hardware Security Entrepreneurship Research and Development

About CHERD

The Centre for Hardware Security Entrepreneurship Research and Development (C-HERD) stands as an ambitious initiative championed by MeitY and led by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) in partnership with IIT Kharagpur and IIT Madras. Its foremost objective is to establish a centre for deep technology hardware security. C-HERD strives to enhance awareness, impart training to skilled professionals, and promote research and entrepreneurial activities in the field of hardware security by fostering collaboration among industry, academia, government, and defence sectors.

Vision

To position India as a pioneering global leader in hardware security research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, by fostering a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures the development and commercialization of groundbreaking technologies.

Research

Innovation

Entrepreneurship

Ecosystem

Mission

At C-HERD, we are on a mission to propel India to the forefront of hardware security research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We strive to achieve this by cultivating a dynamic and supportive ecosystem that empowers the development and commercialization of groundbreaking hardware security technologies. This is achieved by providing unfettered access to state-of-the-art resources and infrastructure and by nurturing talent through knowledge-sharing.

Objectives

The hardware security program encompasses a wide range of initiatives, such as awareness programs, workshops, conferences, hackathons, development challenges, skills competitions, research internships, and community building. In addition, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Madras will conduct comprehensive security evaluations of hardware components, leveraging tools like the Side-Channel Assessment Tool for RTL and firmware, timing side-channel leakage evaluation in hardware and firmware, and developing hardware IP for next-generation cryptography, with the ultimate goal of creating secure systems. The project's entrepreneurial focus is poised to attract investment and further propel research efforts as hardware security innovations continue to gain traction. The core objectives of C-HERD are given as follows:

Promotion of Hardware Security Research

To develop and implement a research agenda in hardware security that addresses current and emerging challenges. Promote and support hardware security research to achieve measurable and visible progress in the field.

Productization and Commercialization of Research IPs

To develop marketable Intellectual Properties (IPs) in hardware security and focus on commercializing research work, running a specialized program to incubate and accelerate hardware security start-ups and to create an investment-friendly market ecosystem that drives industry adoption and promotes innovation growth.

A Pool of Hardware Security Researchers

To create a pool of hardware security researchers and resources and to attract engineers to develop solutions to the challenges of hardware security. Support to Hardware System Assurance Efforts: To create methods, tools, and utilities to assess the security and trustworthiness of hardware /cyber systems.

Methods and Utilities for Supply Chain Security

To analyze hardware components in supply chains for security threats and develop utilities to assess and manage associated risks. Sectoral Hardware Security: To examine hardware and embedded systems deployed in the industry verticals and undertake experimental evaluation/assessment exercises and develop test cases for testing, carry out vulnerability research, and help in devising hardening guidelines.