IoT & embedded device security practitioner (IEDSP)
November 11th, 2025 | Bucharest
Unlock the hidden world of electronics and device security
This hands-on workshop is designed for curious minds and aspiring security researchers.
We’ll start from the fundamentals, covering electronic basics and essential skills for probing and analyzing signals, giving you the confidence to interact directly with hardware.
From there, we’ll dive into hardware reversing: interpreting datasheets, schematics, and understanding how components communicate within a device.
Participants will also get hands-on practice analyzing a protocol, exploring the PIC18 architecture, and locating specific data in a firmware dump – skills that bring theory to life. Beyond technical skills, the workshop emphasizes real-world threat analysis, showing how vulnerabilities can be exploited and, importantly, how to defend against them.
By the end of the session, you’ll have actionable skills to analyze, reverse engineer, and evaluate devices from both a hardware and firmware perspective, all while developing a security-focused mindset.
Why is this workshop relevant?
Most security trainings focus on high-level systems, leaving the hardware and firmware layer largely unexplored.
This workshop fills that gap, giving you hands-on insights into electronics, protocols, and firmware analysis.
What makes this workshop unique is its comprehensive approach: instead of focusing solely on software or electronics, we connect both worlds to give you a full picture of device security.
Learn how devices really work, uncover hidden vulnerabilities, and gain a rare low-level perspective that complements any security skill set.
Workshop agenda
- Understand the fundamentals of electronic components, signals, and common communication protocols like UART and I²C
- Apply your knowledge in guided exercises, examining signal behavior and decoding protocol interactions to see how devices communicate
- Understand how microcontrollers function and interact with hardware components
- Study a firmware dump example and practice locating key data
- Identify vulnerabilities and map potential attack surfaces on a device
- Wrap up with guidelines and strategies for building and maintaining secure connected devices
About the trainer
GABRIEL CIUBOTARU
Gabriel Ciubotaru is a seasoned Software Engineer specializing in cybersecurity and embedded systems, with experience at Dell, Microsoft, Bitdefender and Keysight Technologies. He excels in developing advanced security solutions, reversing firmware and proprietary protocols, and enhancing system defenses. Proficient in C, C++, Python, and Haskell, Gabriel is passionate about driving innovative R&D projects at the intersection of software, hardware, and security, tackling challenges from embedded systems to binary and IC reverse engineering.
Who is it for?
This workshop is designed for intermediate-level participants who have a basic understanding of programming and cybersecurity concepts.
It is particularly valuable for security researchers, pentesters, embedded systems developers, IoT enthusiasts, and hardware hobbyists who want to deepen their understanding of low-level device behavior and firmware analysis.
No prior experience with hardware reversing or firmware analysis is required.
Key learning objectives:
✔ Probe and measure electronic signals to reveal how a device operates
✔ Decode common communication protocols such as UART and I²C
✔ Interpret datasheets and schematics to reverse engineer hardware components
✔ Understand firmware dumping methods and their use in device analysis
✔ Locate and analyze specific data within a firmware dump for security insights
Other information & prerequisites
No prior electronics or hardware experience is required. Participants should have a basic understanding of programming or general computing concepts.
Technical requirements for attendees:
Attendees are required to bring their own laptops. Please ensure the following software is installed prior to the workshop:
- Saleae Logic 2 – for signal capture and analysis (Download here)
- Ghidra – for firmware analysis and reverse engineering (Download here)
Estimated Workshop Duration: 6h
Language of Instruction: Romanian or English
Participation fee: EUR 250
FAQs
If we do not meet the minimum number of participants, you can either transfer to another workshop and pay or receive a refund for any difference in price, or opt for a full refund. You will be notified in advance and given options to choose what works best for you.
The workshop price covers food. However, accommodation is not included, but we can recommend nearby options for your convenience.
Yes, full refunds are available up to 15 days before the workshop start date. However, if you cancel after that, we can offer only 50% of the price.
You will receive an email with all the necessary details, including the workshop location, prerequisites, and schedule, at least one week before the event. If you have any immediate questions, feel free to reach out to us directly.