# Understand Arm Pointer Authentication

## In this learning path

- [Introduction](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/pac/)
- [Pointer Authentication on Arm](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/pac/pac/)
- [Example application](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/pac/example/)
- [Exploit applications built without Pointer Authentication instructions](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/pac/exploit/)
- [Next Steps](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/pac/_next-steps/)

## About this Learning Path

| Skill level:     | Advanced            |
|------------------|---------------------|
| Reading time:    | 30 min              |
| Last updated:    | 31 Jul 2026         |

| Author:          | Pareena Verma, Arm [GitHub](https://github.com/pareenaverma) [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/pareena-verma-7853607) |
|------------------|---------------------|
| Arm IP:          | [Neoverse](https://support.arm.com/?tab=compute-ip&Product%20Type=Infrastructure%20Processors)                      |
| Tags:            | [Performance and Architecture](https://learn.arm.com/tag/performance-and-architecture), [AWS](https://learn.arm.com/tag/aws), [Microsoft Azure](https://learn.arm.com/tag/microsoft-azure), [Google Cloud](https://learn.arm.com/tag/google-cloud), [Oracle](https://learn.arm.com/tag/oracle), [Linux](https://learn.arm.com/tag/linux), [Runbook](https://learn.arm.com/tag/runbook) |

## Who is this for?
This is an advanced topic for software developers interested in understanding Arm Pointer Authentication.

## What will you learn?
Upon completion of this Learning Path, you will be able to:
- Create a simple application on an Arm server with Pointer Authentication
- Compile the application with and without Pointer Authentication to inspect the instructions generated
- Exploit the applications with and without Pointer Authentication to demonstrate how Pointer Authentication instructions enhance security.

## Prerequisites
Before starting, you will need the following:
- An Arm based instance from a cloud service provider, or an on-premise Arm server.
- If needed, review [Get started with Arm-based cloud instances](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/csp/) to learn how to deploy Arm in the cloud. These learning paths also point to more advanced learning paths that show how to automate the deployment of Arm instances at different cloud providers.