# 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

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| Skill level: | Advanced |
| Reading time: | 30 min |
| Last updated: | 09 Sep 2026 |

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| Author: | Pareena Verma , Arm<br>[GitHub](https://github.com/pareenaverma)<br>[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 Graviton](https://learn.arm.com/tag/aws-graviton) [Microsoft Azure Cobalt](https://learn.arm.com/tag/microsoft-azure-cobalt) [Google Axion](https://learn.arm.com/tag/google-axion) [Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Ampere Compute](https://learn.arm.com/tag/oracle-cloud-infrastructure-oci-ampere-compute) [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?

After completing this Learning Path, you'll be able to perform the following tasks:

- 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'll need the following prerequisites:

- 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.