Exploring the possibility to take advantage of Chaos Engineering in strictly regulated computer systems.

Background

In a digitalised world where computer systems are more complex than ever, the importance of robustness cannot be neglected. One way to tackle this, and to constantly improve the integrity of the system, is to make use of Chaos Engineering. Chaos Engineering works on the principle of randomly introducing errors in the systems on purpose. The systems should then be able to handle these errors, with minimal impact for the users. Chaos Engineering makes it possible to root out weaknesses in a controlled manner, before issues appear in a more critical situation. Today, chaos engineering is practiced at large tech companies such as Netflix, Amazon, Google and Facebook.

High-integrity systems need to behave in a trustworthy fashion. This is often regulated in standards such as NIST and Common Criteria for security, and DO-178 for safety. Our systems need to be accredited towards such standards. To intentionally introduce errors in such a system (e.g. a fighter jet) might not be in line with these regulations. Yet.

In this Master Thesis, we want to investigate the possibility to combine the seemingly conflicting principles, in order to make the systems as safe and secure as possible. This entails both a theoretical and a practical part, where the theoretical part includes a deep dive into how some accreditation standards could be combined with chaos engineering principles and related theories. The practical part will be to implement and evaluate some aspects of Chaos Engineering in a limited lab environment.

Description of the master thesis

As implied above, this Master Thesis will be both theoretical and  practical. It will be divided into three parts: One study phase to learn about Chaos Engineering and the accreditation standards. The second phase is to evaluate what is possible to do with Chaos Engineering in accredited systems, and the third phase is to experiment with Chaos Engineering in a limited lab environment.

We are looking for 1-2 master degree students with an interest in:

• System architecture

• Verification, formal methods

• Fault tolerance

• Cyber security

• Innovation

You are at the end of your master’s degree in Computer engineering, Computer Science, Electrical engineering, Information Technology, or equivalent, and is eligble for your 30 HP degree project.

This position requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations around/of security protection. For positions requiring security clearance additional obligations on citizenship may apply.

What you will be a part of

You will collaborate with experienced engineers and professionals in an environment that fosters career development and personal growth. You will be part of X Innovation Lab at Saab Surveillance in Göteborg,

, a Business Area within Saab, is a world-leading supplier of systems for detection of threats and self-protection. Business Unit Radar Solutions is responsible for Radar in airborne-, surface- and naval systems. 

X Innovation Lab is a group working with new technology and new ways of working within Saab Radar Solutions in Göteborg. We do research and create prototypes that are then used in the on-going development of Saab’s products.

Contact information

Maria Stegberg, Recruiting Manager; maria.stegberg@saabgroup.com

If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a challenging team setting, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal – to help protect people.