SSITH
Exhibit Design Case Study
Instead of relying on software patches, DARPA’s System Security Integration Through Hardware and Firmware (SSITH) protects electronic systems by addressing underlying hardware vulnerabilities. Hardware security architectures and associated design tools protect electronic systems and software against entire classes of vulnerabilities.
The Challenge
The war for control of our electronic systems takes place out of sight on computer chips and in code. How can this abstract and complex subject be made visible, understandable, and relatable to conference attendees?
The Solution
An exhibit incorporating a car driving simulator that gives the audience a thrilling, visceral experience. Attendees were presented with a personal, existential threat that required SSITH to survive. The driving simulator is both a showcase for the ongoing project development work and a dramatization that connects the significance of this work to our daily lives.
This Case Study details the exhibit design and production:
1) Brand Story Writing
2) Booth posters
3) Exhibit Design & Visitor Experience
4) Car Design
5) Lighting Design
6) User Interface (UI / UX)
7) Car Production
This video was made for people who couldn’t attend the show, and summarizes the KAIA communications deliverables.
Design and Production
Before work on the booth, driving simulator, videos, and collateral materials could begin, KAIA met with the customer to clarify the SSITH brand story, the science and engineering, and how the technology works.
1) SSITH Brand Story
We live in a hyper-connected world. That connectivity comes at a price: constant vigilance.You need to constantly react to intrusions across the organization to ensure security. The problem is no matter how hard you work, it’s never enough. We get it: security is a never ending battle of software updates. Instead of being proactive, you’re left feeling targeted, vulnerable, and overwhelmed.
You need less defense, more offense.
DARPA leads transformational change through breakthrough technologies. We think there is a better way. Security should be pervasive. That’s why SSITH stops intrusions at the hardware level.
The SSITH program is leading the way in hardware-based system security by addressing and eliminating entire classes of vulnerabilities. When DARPA disseminates the research, open source tools, and architecture, SSITH will transform how system security is done.
Imagine a world where
+ Government Agencies will ensure devices and equipment are safe from outside attacks
+ Corporate Enterprise can keep devices and data protected from hackers
+ Consumers can relax knowing their personal devices are secured
You no longer have to live in a world where you don’t know where the next attack is coming from or how bad it will be. SSITH is certainty - a small performance cost you can depend on to stop the unknown.
Get off the “patch and pray” hamster wheel, and instead stop security intrusions before they happen.
It’s time to demand better security with SSITH.
2) Booth posters explaining how SSITH works.
3) Exhibit Design
Driver or Hacker? The Driver sits in the car and is challenged to “Get to the Airport!” The Hacker stands at the back of the car and attempts to stop the driver through steering, brakes, accelerator, and infotainment hacks. SSITH is the driver’s co-pilot, their secret weapon to restore control and get them to their destination safely.
Boarding the Visitor Experience; a step by step plan of what show attendees will see, hear, and interact with in the both.
4) Car Design
SSITH technology will be implemented on computer chips. Chip development and testing takes place on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) boards. The SSITH demonstrator needed to house three of these fragile and expensive development boards. The initial design had a separate kiosk and three clear FPGA board cases.
Hackers accessing the CAN bus data stream
Instead of separate FPGA cases, the design was revised to enclose the back of the car between two thick acrylic panels like a museum display case. In addition creating a single large and vented area for the boards, it provided a mounting surface for the rear Hacker screen. This eliminated kiosk storage and set up, and improved the lighting design by incorporating the Hacker screen.
The passenger seat was removed so the seven sub system control modules could be arranged on the floor. A third clear panel enclosed theses modules with wiring and LED lights reparenting information flow.
5) Lighting Design
Bright colorful lighting showed the state of the simulator: green for unprotected and unhacked, red for unprotected but hacked, and blue for protected by SSITH. The programmable LED strips lit up the car and captured attention.
6) User Interface (UI / UX)
KAIA developed two sets of separate and related interfaces: one for the Driver’s view, and one for the Hacker’s view.
Driver POV “Get to the airport!”
Driver Interface
Hacker POV, “Stop the driver!”
Hacker Interface
Hacker interface wireframe
The interface elements were repurposed for the observers view.
7) Car Production
A 2008 SmartCar convertible was chosen as the platform for its small size, open top, and open back layout. The donor car was disassembled, permanently removing the engine, drivetrain, brakes, top, doors, glass, and all liquids.
Building the car started with mounting the wide screen and force feedback motor. Control modules were mounted to the floor and 3D printed light tubes connected components. Computers were installed to run the displays and simulation and the dash was reassembled. The three acrylic panels were cut, formed, and mounted. Finally, the instrument panel, seat, carpet, and body panels were put together and the car was vinyl wrapped.
The Outcome
Bringing it all together: design, story, physical car, lighting, and interface.
The exhibit was an attention grabbing and visceral experience with clear messaging: SSITH stops system attacks.
+ KAIA took care of the design, messaging, and production of the booth centerpiece so the customer could focus on the big picture.
+ KAIA organized and incorporated all team and stakeholder input.
+ KAIA maximized the impact.
The events were an unqualified success: an engaging and accessible experience that inspired attendees as they learned how SSITH worked. Most importantly, the professional and polished presentation impressed management and industry alike.