IoT

The Importance of Secure Flashing for Embedded Devices and Secure Implementation Practices

This is the third article in the series about embedded devices security, started with Strengthening the Security of Embedded Devices The second article was Secure Booting for Embedded Devices: Safeguarding Systems from Intrusions In this article, we will explore the importance of secure flashing for embedded devices and discuss best practices for implementing secure firmware updates. Secure flashing refers to the process of updating or replacing firmware on an embedded device in a secure and reliable manner. Firmware is the software code that runs directly on the hardware of the embedded device, controlling its functionality and behavior. Secure flashing ensures that firmware updates are performed in a way that minimizes the risk of unauthorized access, tampering, or corruption. Secure flashing involves implementing a set of security measures and practices to ensure the integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality of the firmware during the update process. These devices often rely on firmware updates to enhance functionality, address vulnerabilities, and ensure optimal performance. However, the process of flashing firmware onto embedded devices can introduce security risks if not handled properly.   Significance of Secure Flashing Vulnerability Mitigation Firmware updates often address security vulnerabilities discovered in embedded devices. Secure flashing ensures that these updates are…

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Strengthening the Security of Embedded Devices

Embedded devices are specialized computing systems designed to perform specific tasks or functions within a larger system. Unlike general-purpose computers, embedded devices are typically integrated into other devices or systems and are dedicated to carrying out a specific set of functions. They are often characterized by their compact size, low power consumption, and optimized performance for their intended application. Embedded devices can be found in various domains and industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, industrial automation, telecommunications, and IoT (Internet of Things). Examples of embedded devices include: Smartphones and tablets: These devices integrate multiple functionalities such as communication, multimedia, and internet access into a portable form factor. Home appliances: Devices like refrigerators, washing machines, and thermostats may contain embedded systems that control their operations and offer smart features. Industrial control systems: Embedded devices are widely used in manufacturing plants and industrial environments to monitor and control processes, machinery, and equipment. Automotive systems: Embedded devices are essential components in modern vehicles, managing functions such as engine control, entertainment systems, safety features, and navigation. Medical devices: Embedded systems are utilized in various medical equipment, such as patient monitoring devices, implantable devices, and diagnostic tools. IoT devices: These are interconnected devices that gather,…


How to easily secure your smartphone

Most people these days have a smartphone. These phones are actually no longer just mobile phones, in reality they are powerful mobile computers with several GB RAM, multicore CPUs and many GB storage. Despite these characteristics which bring them closer to computers than to phones, most of their users don’t consider security and privacy in the way they should do with their personal mobile computers. Actually, users are split in two categories: those who care about security and privacy and those who don’t. The advices below are meant to address both categories and they are sorted according to the difficulty to be implemented. The entire article has been published recently on the website Mirmay.com .


Network Access Control and IoT Security

Network Access Control,  is an approach to computer security that attempts to unify endpoint security technology (such as antivirus, host intrusion prevention, and vulnerability assessment), user or system authentication and network security enforcement. When a computer connects to a computer network, it is not permitted to access anything unless it complies with a business defined policy: anti-virus protection level, system update level configuration. While the computer is being checked by a pre-installed software agent, it can only access resources that can remediate (resolve or update) any issues and nothing else. Once the policy is met (it has an antivirus, it is up to date, etc.), the computer is able to access network resources and the Internet, within the policies defined within the NAC system.   CISCO NAC and Microsoft NAP Network Access Protection or NAP is a Microsoft technology for controlling network access of a computer host based on system health of the host, first introduced in Windows Server 2008. NAP includes client and server components that allow you to create and enforce health requirement policies that define the required software and system configurations for computers that connect to your network. It also enforces health requirements by inspecting and assessing…


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