New demand on assembly language proficiency in performing binary reverse engineering tasks

Abstract

Cybersecurity encompasses a wide field of disciplines and as cyber threat landscape changes, there is a need for tools, techniques and skills to provide safe and secure internet environment. The cyber space industry introduced new roles for reverse engineers, malware analysts, digital forensic experts, exploit engineers, etc which demand the new skill set, and in this context, the proficiency in assembly language programming is highly essential. This paper presents an observation on the training programme for software developers from a software integration company to attain the skills of reverse engineers, application penetration testers as well as application security analysts. In preparing for the new generation of reverse engineers and other new roles that are related to cybersecurity, it would be a good step if assembly language could be taught as a separate programming subject, and it would be highly recommended for higher education institutions to collaborate with the industry to undertake co-teaching in supporting the new roles within the realm of cybersecurity. It has been well observed that being endowed with a working knowledge of developing application from scratch using assembly language would offer a foundation to be a good binary reverse engineer.