CYBER-DEFENCE FELLOWSHIPS: Adrien Rey

• How did you find out about the CYD Fellowships and what motivated you to apply?

Thanks to my previous activities, I was able to attend the CYD Conference in 2024. That’s where I discovered the CYD Campus, its work, and its mission. I’ve always wanted to use what I learn during my studies to help people and contribute to the public good, not just work for the private sector.

After that, I did a six-month internship at the CYD Campus and really enjoyed it. So when it was time to choose a topic and place for my master’s thesis, applying for the fellowship felt like the natural next step.

• What was your CYD Fellowship project about?

I was asked to analyze an RFID access control protocol used for access cards. This protocol is widely deployed in Europe, especially in Switzerland. Unfortunately, it is closed-source, meaning there are no real security guarantees apart from what the vendor claims.

My work consisted of reverse-engineering the device and protocol, analyzing its cryptographic mechanisms, and potentially identifying security vulnerabilities.

• What were the advantages of conducting your master thesis project at the CYD Campus?

Doing my thesis at the CYD Campus had several advantages. First, thanks to the CYD Campus’ connections with public institutions and tech actors, I had access to hardware and devices that would have been very hard to obtain on my own.

Second, the knowledge exchange and discussions with employees, interns, and other students were incredibly helpful. They often helped me find new approaches or ideas that I wouldn’t have come up with by myself.

Finally, the working atmosphere is great — being surrounded by motivated students who share the same mindset really pushes you forward.

• Did you as a child dream of working in cyber-defence?

Not at all. As a child, I didn’t even have access to computers. I dreamed of becoming an architect or a mathematician.

Later on, when I finally got access to a computer, I discovered my interest in computer science. And even later, I realized that cybersecurity — rather than classic software development — was what really excited me. I love challenges, and in cybersecurity, especially in pentesting and reverse engineering, every system is a new puzzle. It’s hard, but that’s exactly what makes it motivating.

• What is driving you to pursue research in cyber-defence?

I’m very grateful that I was able to pursue my studies in Switzerland with very low costs. I also really like the idea of using my knowledge for the benefit of everyone, rather than only for private companies.

Cyber-defence comes with a lot of responsibility, but also involves working on sensitive and critical systems, which makes the work both meaningful and intellectually challenging.

• What is the most important lesson you have learned in your scientific career so far?

That sharing knowledge and discussing your work is just as important as the work itself.

After spending months on a topic, you might feel like you’ve become an expert and that people outside your field won’t understand or contribute anything useful. But surprisingly, some of the best ideas come from completely random discussions, for example during a lunch break with people who know nothing about your topic.

• What are you most proud of in your career to date?

One of the things I’m most proud of is what I accomplished during my previous internship at the CYD Campus. I worked on building automation pentesting, a field that had been largely neglected from a security perspective.

During that internship, I discovered dozens of vulnerabilities,including multiple CVEs (Common Vulnerability Exposures, a standardized set of cybersecurity flaws) and even developed tools to automatically find weaknesses. This work allowed me to present my results at several hacking conferences — something I honestly never thought I’d be able to do so early in my career.

• Outside the lab, what do you enjoy doing most?

In my free time, I really enjoy sports. I go to the gym, ski during the winter, and play floorball in a club in my hometown.

I also like developing my OSINT (Open-Source INTelligence) skills in my free time, and I never miss a good OSINT CTF with friends.

• What were your expectations about the CYD Fellowships?

I expected a motivating and supportive environment where I could work independently on my project and have the freedom to choose its direction.

Of course, the living allowance is also a big plus — it really helps you focus fully on the project without needing a side job.

• Could you share some tips with future applicants who are considering applying for the CYD Fellowships?

Don’t hesitate to apply. If you’re motivated and believe in your idea, go for it.

The selection process might seem long and intense, but it’s worth it. If you truly believe your project makes sense and you’re passionate about it, it can really work out in the end.