As hardware security becomes a cornerstone of digital sovereignty, innovation, and public trust, spaces for meaningful exchange are more important than ever. Registration for the Hardware Reverse Engineering Workshop (HARRIS 2026) is now open, inviting an international community of more than 120 expected participants to gather in Bochum this spring.
HARRIS 2026 will take place on March 24 & 25, 2026, with optional hands-on tutorials on March 23. The workshop is co-organized by Dr. Steffen Becker, whose Human-Centered Hardware Security group is part of the Young Investigator Groups at the RC Trust. At the same time, HARRIS is strongly supported by the research environment and resources of Prof. Christof Paar, whose long-standing work in hardware security provides an essential foundation for the event.
The workshop addresses researchers from academia, professionals from industry, and experts from government and public institutions who work on hardware reverse engineering, assurance, and trust. Advanced students and early-career researchers are equally encouraged to participate, benefiting from an open atmosphere that combines technical depth with accessibility. With its international audience and growing scale, HARRIS offers the reach of a major community event while preserving the focused character of a workshop.
Participants can expect a rich program of research talks, practical case studies, and interactive discussions, complemented by extensive networking opportunities. The value of attending lies not only in learning about the latest methods and challenges, but also in connecting with peers and decision-makers shaping the future of secure and trustworthy hardware.
Registration is now available via the workshop website.
An early registration discount is offered until February 20, 2026, and reduced rates are available for students with proof of enrollment. This makes participation especially attractive for young researchers looking to deepen their expertise and connect with the international hardware security community.
HARRIS 2026 will feature two keynote speakers, John McMaster and Peter Schwabe, offering high-level perspectives on current and future challenges in hardware reverse engineering and security. Further details on the keynotes will be published in the coming weeks.
In addition, participants can extend their experience through three optional hands-on tutorials on March 23, 2026, focusing on practical skills and real-world techniques-from IC sample preparation and invasive attacks to circuit-level reverse engineering. These tutorials require a separate registration and fee and are designed for those who want to gain deeper, applied insights.
Whether you help shape security strategies, develop or analyze hardware systems, or prepare for a career in hardware security research, HARRIS 2026 offers a focused, welcoming environment to learn, contribute, and connect.
General note: In case of using gender-assigning attributes we include all those who consider themselves in this gender regardless of their own biological sex.