At a time when securing digital devices is paramount—from consumer electronics to critical infrastructure—the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals specializing in Hardware Reverse Engineering (HRE) is skyrocketing. Recognizing this need, the U.S. and EU have committed significant funding to build a cybersecurity-ready semiconductor workforce. But how well are our educational programs meeting this demand? And what can we, as a community, do to support the next generation of HRE professionals?

To dive deep into the state of HRE training, we conducted a survey at two leading events in the field: Hardwear.io USA 2023 and the HARRIS 2024 workshop. The survey, capturing the insights of 68 dedicated hardware enthusiasts with diverse expertise, reveals a striking reliance on independent and on-the-job learning over traditional academic routes, underscoring the potential for further development of formal education.
To investigate the root cause of these survey results, we analyzed 13 relevant academic courses in hardware security. We discovered that the typical course structure of lectures and hands-on projects is effective. However, when comparing the content of existing courses to the needs identified in our survey, several important areas and threat models for HRE are underrepresented.

To meet the growing societal and industry demand, we advocate for the integration of HRE training into academic curricula. By fostering more structured, accessible, and standardized training programs, we can better equip future professionals with the critical skills needed to solve real-world security problems early on.
Doing so will require a joint effort between academic educators and the hardware design and security communities, for example, by exploring ways to expose students to real-world industry problems.
Let's work together to build stronger bridges between academia and industry, giving future professionals a head start on a successful career in hardware security.