Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Jaroslav Koton, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Jaroslav Koton, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Ondřej Ryšavý, Ph.D.
doc. Dr. Ing. Petr Hanáček
doc. Ing. Karel Burda, CSc.
doc. Ing. Václav Zeman, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jan Hajný, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jiří Mišurec, CSc.
Councillor external :
doc. Ing. Otto Dostál, CSc.

The student is fostered to use the theoretical knowledge and experience gained through own research activities in an innovative manner. He is able to efficiently use the gathered knowledge for the design of own and prospective solutions within their further experimental development and applied research. The emphasis is put on gaining both theoretical and practical skill, ability of self-decisions, definition of research and development hypotheses to propose projects spanning from basic to applied research, ability to evaluation of the results and their dissemination as research papers and presentation in front of the research community.

The study program aims at scientific preparation of doctoral students with deep theoretical knowledge of cryptography and system security. Most study courses are focused on applied mathematics, informatics and telecommunication technologies. The graduate has detailed knowledge about communication and information systems, data transfer and its security, including the use and design of software applications. She is able to analyze modern ciphers and cryptographic protocols, evaluate their security and propose their concrete usage in communication systems. She has a deep knowledge of operating systems, programming languages, database systems, distributed applications, etc. She is also experienced in task algoritmization. She is able to design novel technological solutions for telecommunications with high security standards. The graduate is able to understand and design modern cryptographic systems.

Graduates of the program "Information Security" will be positioned in research, development and design teams, in expert groups of production or business organizations, in the academic sphere and in other institutions involved in science, research, development and innovation, in all companies where communication systems and secure information transfer through data networks are being applied and used.
Our graduates are particularly experienced in the analysis, design, creation or management of complex systems aimed for secure data transfer and processing, as well as in the programming, integration, support, maintenance or sale of these systems.

Doctoral studies are carried out according to the individual study plan, which will prepare the doctoral student in cooperation with the doctoral student at the beginning of the study. The individual study plan specifies all the duties stipulated in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Rules, which the doctoral student must fulfill to successfully finish his studies. These responsibilities are time-bound throughout the study period, they are scored and fixed at fixed deadlines. The student enrolls and performs tests of compulsory courses, obligatory elective subjects with regard to the focus of his dissertation, and elective courses (English for PhD students, Solutions for Innovative Entries, Scientific Publishing from A to Z).
The student may enroll for the state doctoral exam only after all the tests prescribed by his / her individual study plan have been completed. Before the state doctoral exam, the student prepares a dissertation thesis describing in detail the goals of the thesis, a thorough evaluation of the state of knowledge in the area of ​​the dissertation solved, or the characteristics of the methods it intends to apply in the solution. The defense of the controversy that is opposed is part of the state doctoral exam. In the next part of the exam the student must demonstrate deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of cryptology, system security, network security and electrical engineering, electronics. The State Doctoral Examination is in oral form and, in addition to the discussion on the dissertation thesis, it also consists of thematic areas related to compulsory and compulsory elective subjects.
To defend the dissertation, the student reports after the state doctoral examination and after fulfilling conditions for termination, such as participation in teaching, scientific and professional activity (creative activity) and at least a monthly study or work placement at a foreign institution or participation in an international creative project .

The doctoral studies of a student follow the Individual Study Plan (ISP), which is defined by the supervisor and the student at the beginning of the study period. The ISP is obligatory for the student, and specifies all duties being consistent with the Study and Examination Rules of BUT, which the student must successfully fulfill by the end of the study period. The duties are distributed throughout the whole study period, scored by credits/points and checked in defined dates. The current point evaluation of all activities of the student is summarized in the “Total point rating of doctoral student” document and is part of the ISP. At the beginning of the next study year the supervisor highlights eventual changes in ISP. By October, 15 of each study year the student submits the printed and signed ISP to Science Department of the faculty to check and archive.
Within the first four semesters the student passes the exams of compulsory, optional-specialized and/or optional-general courses to fulfill the score limit in Study area, and concurrently the student significantly deals with the study and analysis of the knowledge specific for the field defined by the dissertation thesis theme and also continuously deals with publishing these observations and own results. In the follow-up semesters the student focuses already more to the research and development that is linked to the dissertation thesis topic and to publishing the reached results and compilation of the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the second year of studies the student passes the Doctor State Exam, where the student proves the wide overview and deep knowledge in the field linked to the dissertation thesis topic. The student must apply for this exam by April, 30 in the second year of studies. Before the Doctor State Exam the student must successfully pass the exam from English language course.
In the third and fourth year of studies the student deals with the required research activities, publishes the reached results and compiles the dissertation thesis. As part of the study duties is also completing a study period at an abroad institution or participation on an international research project with results being published or presented in abroad or another form of direct participation of the student on an international cooperation activity, which must be proved by the date of submitting the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the winter term in the fourth year of study students submit the elaborated dissertation thesis to the supervisor, who scores this elaborate. The final dissertation thesis is expected to be submitted by the student by the end of the fourth year of studies.
In full-time study form, during the study period the student is obliged to pass a pedagogical practice, i.e. participate in the education process. The participation of the student in the pedagogical activities is part of his/her research preparations. By the pedagogical practice the student gains experience in passing the knowledge and improves the presentation skills. The pedagogical practice load (exercises, laboratories, project supervision etc.) of the student is specified by the head of the department based on the agreement with the student’s supervisor. The duty of pedagogical practice does not apply to students-payers and combined study program students. The involvement of the student in the education process within the pedagogical practice is confirmed by the supervisor in the Information System of the university.

The study program directly follows the Bachelor´s and Master´s study programs Information Security at FEKT, BUT.

1. Hardware-Accelerated Cryptography

   The topic is aimed on research and development in the field of hardware-accelerated algorithms on the FPGA platform. Student will focus on methods of secure implementation with protection against side-channel attacks. Student’s paid involvement in research projects at the UTKO department is expected.

   Tutor: Hajný Jan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Hybrid Cryptography

   The topic is focused on the design of hybrid cryptographic systems combining classical cryptography (ECDSA, RSA, AES, etc.) with post-quantum cryptography (especially the CRYSTALS family) and possibly quantum cryptography (QKD). The student will be involved in ongoing projects focusing on the design of algorithms and their practical testing on various platforms.

   Tutor: Hajný Jan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Machine learning in photonics

   Photonic systems cover a wide range of areas from data transmission, through sensors to quantum networks. Each photonic system has its own requirements for the transmission infrastructure, but also for input and output parameters. Manual optimization of large networks based on different types of signals is almost impossible. With the help of machine learning, the optimization of both the transmitted signals and the entire infrastructure can be achieved in photonic networks. Last but not least, machine learning algorithms can be used to detect and classify non-standard network behavior to minimize security risks.

   Tutor: Münster Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Methods for the collection and analysis of data from open sources

   The topic is focused on the research and design of new methods that can be used for collecting and analyzing large volumes of data from open sources to detect threats (e.g., influence operations, forms of extremism, cyber incidents, etc.) in cyberspace, with a focus on indexed internet, social networks, and communication platforms. The research will generally aim at OSINT (open source intelligence) methods applicable in cyberspace. The participation on Department’s research projects is expected.

   Tutor: Martinásek Zdeněk, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. New methods using artificial intelligence tools for penetration testing

   The topic is focused on research and design of new methods using artificial intelligence that can be used during the security testing (penetration test). The research is focused on suitable methods for web applications penetration testing, network infrastructure penetration testing, but also for penetration testing of dedicated devices such as smart meters. The participation on Department’s research projects is expected.

   Tutor: Jeřábek Jan, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Optical fiber infrastructure security

   Fiber optic networks have evolved rapidly in recent years to meet the ever-increasing demand for increasing capacity. Today, optical fibers are widely used in all types of networks due to not only transmission speed or maximum achievable distance but also security. Although fiber optic networks are considered completely secure, there are ways to capture or copy part of the data signal. Both imperfections of passive optical components and, for example, monitoring outputs of active devices can be used. With the advent of quantum computers, current encryption could be broken. It is therefore necessary to address the security of fiber-optic networks, analyze security risks and propose appropriate countermeasures.

   Tutor: Münster Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Post-Quantum Cryptographic Protocols

   The topic aims at the analysis, design and optimization of modern post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) protocols. The research can be more focused on the one of current open problems such as post-quantum security in blockchain technology, quantum-resistant privacy-preserving methods, PQC on constrained devices, quantum-resistant hybrid methods, etc. The participation on Department’s national and international research projects is expected.

   Tutor: Malina Lukáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Post-Quantum Cryptography

   The topic is aimed on research and development in the field quantum-safe systems for key establishment and encryption. Student will focus on methods of quantum and post-quantum systems combination and practical aspects of implementation into existing networks in BUT lab. Student’s paid involvement in research projects at the UTKO department is expected.

   Tutor: Hajný Jan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

9. Simulation and laboratory model for cybersecurity assessment in the power industry

   The aim of this thesis is to propose a comprehensive model of the communication options considered for smart grids in the power industry, which will allow the verification of cyber security in a simulation and laboratory environment. The choice and selection of the appropriate technology and its security is the most difficult issue for distribution system operators when building a communication infrastructure. Therefore, another objective of this work is to propose and experimentally validate a methodology for evaluating communication technologies and their security for smart grids in the power industry.

   Tutor: Mlýnek Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. Tools and methods for the analysis of cryptographic technologies in large networks

    The topic is focused on the research and development of tools for automated analysis of large-scale network infrastructures, with a focus on the assessment of the cryptographic means used and their compliance with the requirements for quantum safe systems. The topic is suitable for candidates with an interest in cryptography, applications of modern technologies including AI and threats arising from advances in quantum computing. The topic is supported by a research project and there is an opportunity for student involvement in research within an international consortium.

    Tutor: Hajný Jan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.