Hardware security community gathers in Bochum

Bochum was once again the hub of hardware security, hosting the 4th edition of the Hardware Reverse Engineering Workshop (HARRIS 2026). The aim of this workshop was to bring together experts from academia, industry, and government and to provide ample opportunities for knowledge exchange. A unique feature of this year’s event was the addition of three tutorials, held the day before the main event.

The two days were packed with insightful talks from experts, an engaging panel session, and ample networking opportunities facilitated by the “speed dating” approach. Additionally, we tested a new format titled “Human Search Engine”: an open mic format for people to share their ideas and find collaborators among the participants at the event. Just as last year, collecting the event stickers provided light entertainment and served as a great ice breaker for discussions. The two keynote addresses by MPI-SP’s scientific director, Peter Schwabe, and John McMaster, rounded off the main event.

Every year brings a novelty to HARRIS, and this time, the three tutorials held before the main event were a highlight for many participants. Experts from our institute, as well as from TechInsights (Canada), and Texplained (France) shared their knowledge on circuit-level hardware reverse engineering, IC sample preparation, and NVM extraction. “This year, we introduced hands-on tutorials as a direct response to community feedback and the unique opportunity to collaborate with outstanding experts willing to share practical skills. By combining real-world techniques - from invasive IC analysis to circuit-level reverse engineering - we wanted to create an interactive experience that empowers attendees to engage deeply with the material," says Prof. Christof Paar, founder of the event and scientific director of MPI-SP.

This event would not be possible without the dedication of the organizers and the generosity of our sponsors. We are looking forward to the next edition of HARRIS!

Editorial note: This article was originally published on the website of the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy. It has been adapted here to highlight the involvement of Dr. Steffen Becker, who is co-founder of HARRIS 2026, serves as Program Committee Chair, and is a member of the workshop’s Steering Committee. At the RC Trust, he leads the Human-Centered Hardware Security group as part of the Young Investigator Groups, contributing to the ongoing development and continuity of the workshop.