Pivots: VETS-HASTE: Veterans SkillBridge through Industry based Hardware Security Training and Education

现代半导体器件的设计涉及复杂而广泛的供应链，包括多个供应商、知识产权提供商、平台集成商、代工厂、测试设施和其他实体。在这个复杂的过程中，恶意行为者显然有可能引入破坏整个系统完整性的安全漏洞。商业或军事网络基础设施中存在受损的硬件组件可能会对安全和安保产生严重和广泛的影响。因此，确保硬件安全对于建立强大的半导体设计生态系统至关重要。然而，尽管我们的政府和私营部门迫切需要训练有素的硬件安全工作人员，但他们严重短缺。该项目将开发一个可持续的和可扩展的体验式学习计划，为STEM中服务不足的参与者提供新的技能和进入硬件安全职业的途径。该项目将利用创新的学习科学策略，积极参与体验式硬件安全培训的退伍军人群体，这是一个重要的服务不足的人群。退伍军人拥有独特的素质和技能，包括实践经验，适应能力，对细节的关注和不同的背景，使他们成为先进技术领域尚未开发的资源，特别是在硬件安全领域。该项目将优先招聘和支持资深参与者，他们将通过利用大学资源接受行业驱动的课程，然后参与由行业合作伙伴促进的一系列真实的学习活动，如现场建模，专家指导和实习。此外，计划亦会提供丰富的职业探索及自我发现机会，以加强参加者的概念知识及培养他们对硬件保安职业的兴趣。最后，将进行独立的形成性和总结性评估，以不断改进方案设计。通过这些努力，该项目将为国内半导体行业创造一个多样化和熟练的工人管道，从而为经济和国家安全目标做出贡献。该项目与由NSF TIP和EDU董事会资助的NSF ExLENT计划保持一致，因为它旨在为来自不同专业和教育背景的个人提供体验式学习机会，以增加他们对以下内容的兴趣和访问：该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值进行评估，被认为值得支持和更广泛的影响审查标准。

The design of modern semiconductor devices involves a complex and widespread supply chain comprising multiple vendors, intellectual property providers, platform integrators, foundries, testing facilities, and other entities. In this intricate process, there is a clear potential for a malicious actor to introduce security vulnerabilities that undermine the entire system's integrity. The presence of compromised hardware components in commercial or military cyberinfrastructure can lead to severe and widespread implications for security and safety. Thus, ensuring hardware security is vital for establishing a strong semiconductor design ecosystem. However, there is a significant shortage of adequately trained hardware security workforce despite the critical need in our government and private sectors. This project will develop a sustainable and scalable experiential learning program for underserved participants in STEM to gain new skills and pathways into hardware security careers.This project will utilize innovative learning science strategies to actively involve a diverse group of veterans, a significant underserved population, in experiential hardware security training. Veterans possess unique qualities and skills, including hands-on experience, resilience, attention to detail, and diverse backgrounds, making them an untapped resource for the advanced technology field, particularly in hardware security. The project will prioritize the recruitment and support of veteran participants, who will undergo an industry-driven course by leveraging university resources and then engage in a series of authentic learning activities facilitated by industry partners, such as in-situ modeling, expert mentoring, and internships. In addition, the project will provide ample opportunities for career exploration and self-discovery to enhance participants' conceptual knowledge and cultivate their interests in hardware security careers. Finally, independent formative and summative evaluations will be conducted to continuously improve the program design. Through these endeavors, this project will create a diverse and skilled pipeline of workers for the domestic semiconductor industry, thereby contributing to economic and national security goals. This project aligns with the NSF ExLENT Program, funded by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, as it seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds to increase their interest in, and their access to, career pathways in emerging technology fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.