The hidden risks in Embedded Systems: What you need to know

Cyber threats to embedded systems are evolving at an alarming rate, yet too many organisations remain unaware of the full scope of the risks.

Our latest report dives deep into the vulnerabilities facing embedded devices, from IoT to automotive control units, and the potential consequences of weak security measures.

A growing target for attackers

Embedded systems power everything from industrial automation to medical devices, making them a lucrative target for cybercriminals. As more devices connect to the internet, the attack surface grows and attackers find new ways to exploit these vulnerabilities. The report highlights typical hardware-based attacks and case studies that illustrate how embedded systems can be compromised.

Where hardware security falls short

Standard hardware security practices often fail to provide adequate protection for embedded systems as standalone measures.

“Combining both hardware and software defenses results in a robust, multilayered security solution that covers threats from all angles.” – Report author: Nils Albartus, Embedded Security Specialist and Technical Marketing Manager at Emproof.

While trusted hardware security features such as Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) provide vital protections, they are not a complete safeguard. These hardware solutions primarily protect against attacks targeting the hardware itself, such as physical tampering or unauthorised access to cryptographic keys. However, they do not fully address risks such as firmware-based attacks or vulnerabilities in system software

These hardware solutions can struggle to effectively manage evolving and sophisticated attack methods like exploitation or zero-day vulnerabilities, which can bypass traditional security mechanisms if the system’s firmware is not adequately protected.
This reveals the critical gap – trusted hardware provides an important piece of the puzzle but cannot secure the entire embedded system on its own, particularly in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

The role of lightweight security solutions

Here is where Emproof comes in. Our solution, Emproof Nyx, is designed to seamlessly integrate with existing hardware security features, complementing the protections offered by TEEs and HSMs. While these hardware solutions offer vital protection, Emproof Nyx fills in critical gaps by providing an additional layer of defence at the firmware level. Its lightweight design ensures that devices can maintain performance while staying resilient against advanced cyber threats.

Emproof Nyx works alongside trusted hardware mechanisms like Arm TrustZone and SE (Secure Element), enhancing their capabilities to provide an even more robust and comprehensive security solution. By focusing on firmware-level protection, Emproof ensures that systems are secure from boot-up to runtime, preventing cyber attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities that other solutions may overlook.

Why you need to act now

The longer embedded software security is overlooked, the greater the risk of exploitation. Proactive security measures not only protect intellectual property and sensitive data but also ensure compliance with emerging regulations and industry standards.

Emproof Nyx offers a simple, scalable, and effective way to complement existing hardware security measures, ensuring that embedded devices remain protected from sophisticated attacks, no matter the threat.

To explore the full scope of embedded security challenges and the solutions that can address them, download Emproof’s Hardware security features and Emproof Nyx -Hardware & software security: key comparisons report now.