Behind DEKRA’s New SoC Cybersecurity Lab

When DEKRA, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, decided to create a new lab dedicated to semiconductor and IoT cybersecurity, they came to us with a clear challenge: how to test modern System-on-Chips with the precision and repeatability found in high-end research labs.

They needed tools that could go beyond theoretical testing. Tools that could reproduce real attack scenarios, observe how a chip reacts to faults, measure electromagnetic emissions, and uncover weaknesses invisible at the software level.

Turning a vision into a working lab

From the first meetings, it was clear that DEKRA’s vision went far beyond certification. They wanted a place where engineers could experiment, validate, and understand how hardware behaves under real threats.

We worked side by side to translate that vision into a functional setup. Using our esDynamic platform, we helped design a modular environment combining Side-Channel Analysis (SCA) and Electromagnetic Fault Injection (EMFI). The goal was simple: allow engineers to switch from leakage testing to fault injection in a few clicks, using the same target, the same probe, and the same software interface.

Within weeks, DEKRA’s lab was up and running. The new configuration lets their teams analyze different SoC targets quickly, capture high-quality traces, and compare the effects of both attacks without rebuilding the setup each time.

Building knowledge, not just equipment

Setting up the instruments was only the beginning. Together, we refined every detail of the workflow: how to position probes for clean measurements, how to align timing for fault precision, and how to automate data collection for consistent results.

Our experts provided tailored training sessions to help DEKRA’s engineers take full control of the platform. Soon, they were developing their own test routines, applying them to different standards such as SESIP and PSA Certified, and pushing their lab capabilities further than planned.

From collaboration to innovation

Once the foundation was solid, new ideas started to grow naturally. Both teams began exploring shared probes for SCA and EMFI, optimizing power analysis techniques, and preparing for upcoming extensions such as laser fault injection and decapsulation.

Anders Möller, R&D Manager at DEKRA Cybersecurity, stated: “The new laboratory for cybersecurity testing of semiconductors is a major milestone. Working with eShard enhances our capability of performing high quality and efficient cybersecurity evaluations of semiconductors, supporting manufacturers worldwide in developing trustworthy and compliant connected products in this digital era.”

Today, DEKRA’s cybersecurity laboratory stands as a reference point for SoC evaluations. For us at eShard, it’s the kind of collaboration we value most—where technology, curiosity, and teamwork come together to build something lasting.

Because in the end, every secure chip tested there is another step toward safer, more trusted digital products for everyone.