# Domain-Agnostic Representation of Side-Channels

## TL;DR

This paper explores how side-channel sensing can be applied across multiple domains like cybersecurity and healthcare, proposing a unified framework to study and exploit these channels.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a domain-agnostic framework for side-channel sensing that unifies diverse domains through shared sensing and signal processing techniques.

## Key findings

- Side-channel sensing examples across MDM, HCI, and CYB domains share common advanced sensing techniques.
- A domain-agnostic framework for SCS enables systematic study and exploitation of side channels.
- Future work includes modeling SCS as data structures for cross-domain transferability and leakage detection.

## Abstract

Side channels are unintended pathways within target systems that leak internal target information. Side-channel sensing (SCS) is the process of exploiting side channels to extract embedded target information. SCS is well established within the cybersecurity (CYB) domain, and has recently been proposed for medical diagnostics and monitoring (MDM). Remaining unrecognised is its applicability to human–computer interaction (HCI), among other domains (Misc). This article analyses literature demonstrating SCS examples across the MDM, HCI, Misc, and CYB domains. Despite their diversity, established fields of advanced sensing and signal processing underlie each example, enabling the unification of these currently otherwise isolated domains. Identified themes are collating under a proposed domain-agnostic SCS framework. This SCS framework enables a formalised and systematic approach to studying, detecting, and exploiting of side channels both within and between domains. Opportunities exist for modelling SCS as data structures, allowing for computation irrespective of domain. Future methodologies can take such data structures to enable cross- and intra-domain transferability of extraction techniques, perform side-channel leakage detection, and discover new side channels within target systems.