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The Cybersecurity Project Handbook: 32 Hands-On Projects for Offensive, Defensive & Emerging Domains

Project Chapter 20

Chapter 20 — LegacySecure

Based on: SIH1727 — Secure Encryption Architecture for Legacy Systems
Organization: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Skills required:

  • Cryptography fundamentals
  • Embedded systems development
  • System integration
  • C programming and scripting
  • Hardware security basics
  • Network protocols and IoT communication

Project Description

LegacySecure aims to retrofit modern cryptographic protections into legacy systems that lack inherent security features. It offers a universal encryption layer that can be integrated with existing hardware and software to encrypt communication, storage, and control commands without requiring major re-engineering. This approach enhances security for IoT devices, industrial control systems, and legacy infrastructure critical to urban services.

Tech Stack & Tools

  • Embedded C for integration modules
  • OpenSSL or lightweight crypto libraries
  • MQTT, CoAP protocol implementations
  • Hardware simulators (Arduino, ESP8266/32)
  • Secure key management modules
  • Linux and RTOS environments for testing

Week-wise Plan

Week 1 — Research and Requirements Gathering

  • Analyze legacy system architectures and communication protocols.
  • Identify critical assets and encryption points.
  • Define system requirements for retrofitting security.
  • Deliverable: Detailed design document with integration plan.

Week 2 — Cryptography Module Development

  • Select appropriate algorithms for resource constrained devices (e.g., AES, ChaCha20).
  • Develop encryption/decryption modules compatible with legacy protocols.
  • Deliverable: Crypto library prototype with test vectors.

Week 3 — Communication Encryption Layer

  • Implement secure communication wrappers for existing protocols (MQTT, Modbus).
  • Develop packet encapsulation and integrity verification.
  • Deliverable: Encrypted communication stack module.

Week 4 — Hardware Integration and Simulation

  • Build test bench with hardware simulators and legacy devices.
  • Integrate crypto modules with IoT devices and verify compatibility.
  • Deliverable: Fully integrated prototype in simulation environment.

Week 5 — Key Management System

  • Design secure key generation, distribution, and storage mechanisms.
  • Implement key rotation and revocation procedures.
  • Deliverable: Key management subsystem with APIs.

Week 6 — Performance Optimization

  • Profile crypto and communication modules for latency and energy usage.
  • Optimize code paths, reduce footprint for embedded deployment.
  • Deliverable: Optimized and benchmarked secure communication stack.

Week 7 — Security Testing and Hardening

  • Perform penetration testing against common attack vectors (replay, MITM, injection).
  • Harden modules against side-channel and fault injection attacks.
  • Deliverable: Security assessment report with mitigation actions.

Week 8 — Documentation and Deployment Guide

  • Write comprehensive integration and deployment documentation.
  • Prepare training materials for system operators and developers.
  • Deliverable: Finalized documentation package and deployment scripts.

Testing and Deliverables

  • Setup test lab incorporating various legacy system components.
  • Validate encryption interoperability and performance.
  • Produce secure firmware images and deployment guides.
  • Submit source code, testing datasets, and demo video walkthroughs.