About Me

Project
12I am an Embedded Security Researcher, with a Master's degree in Computer Science specialized in Cybersecurity from the University of Salerno. My studies concluded with a thesis developed at STMicroelectronics, titled "XAI-SideLeak: A Framework for Explainable Side-Channel Analysis", focused on the explainability (XAI) of Side-Channel Analysis attacks on COTS microcontrollers.
I work on Offensive Hardware Security: side-channel analysis (power and electromagnetic analysis, fault injection), hardware penetration testing, and firmware reverse engineering on microcontrollers and IoT devices, with a background in automotive cybersecurity (ISO 21434), ICS/SCADA security, and TARA threat modeling. I carry out research and development activities both independently and at the Habes Lab of the University of Salerno, focusing on hardware and embedded security.
I like to experiment hands-on, taking apart hardware and software to truly understand how they work. It's this practical approach, combined with curiosity, that drives the way I approach security.
Education
- M.Sc. in Computer Science โ Cybersecurity Curriculum, University of Salerno (2023โ2026) โ 110 cum laude
- B.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Salerno (2019โ2023) โ 106/110
Internships

STMicroelectronics (Naples)
January 2026 - July 2026 (7 months)
Master Thesis: "XAI-SideLeak: A Framework for Explainable Side-Channel Analysis" - power and electromagnetic analysis with fault injection on COTS microcontrollers across multiple MCU families, with XAI-driven explainability of Side-Channel Analysis attack outcomes.

STMicroelectronics (Naples)
April 2024 - July 2024 (4 months)
Development of a Penetration Testing suite compliant with ISO 21434 standard.
LargeSystem (Naples)
October 2022 - December 2022 (3 months)
External internship during my Bachelor's degree, focused on web design and microservices architecture.
Collaborations

LinearIT (Salerno)
October 2024 - March 2025 (4 months)
Development of a portable security device (Custom Travel Router) with OpenWRT, custom Python IDS/IPS, integrated ad-block, and mobile app for efficient management. Achieved 3rd place in the 2024/2025 App Challenge.

LinearIT (Salerno)
2 months
Development of a web app with a private blockchain using Hyperledger Besu/FireFly and Flutter for the front-end.
Publications
Umberto Della Monica, Christian Esposito
SAC '26 - 41st ACM/SIGAPP Symposium on Applied Computing ยท ACM Digital Library โข 2026

Umberto Della Monica*, Kimberly-Annalena Munjal, Mark Paul Tamas, Biagio Boi, Christian Esposito, Rahamatullah Khondoker
Applied Sciences, Special Issue: Application of IoT and Cybersecurity Technologies โข 2025