How a Symmetry Metric Assists Side-Channel Evaluation - A Novel Model Verification Method for Power Analysis

Side-channel analysis has become an important field of research for the semiconductor industry and for the academic sector as well. Of particular interest is constructive side-channel analysis as it supports a target-oriented associated design process. The main goal is to increase the side-channel resistance of cryptographic implementations within the design phase by a combination of advanced stochastic methods with design methods, tools, and countermeasures. In this contribution we present a new enhanced tool that utilizes symmetry properties to assist the side-channel evaluation of cryptographic implementations. This technique applies a symmetry metric, which is introduced as an engineering tool to verify the suitability of the leakage model in the evaluation phase of security-sensitive designs. Additionally, this approach also supports the designer in the selection of appropriate time instants.