Today IoT has drastically changed the way we live and work. But, very few agencies are thinking about the real problem of Embedded Systems Security.
Product engineering companies have been focusing on fitting in larger functionalities in smaller embedded systems. IoT is present in agricultural supplies, doctor’s clinics, public transportation systems, the national defence system, and so on and so forth. But, the question that arises here is – ‘Are your devices secure enough?’
The smallest loop in the embedded systems security can give a hacker access to all your sensitive data. Hence, securing the system from every point possible is of utmost importance.
Image Source – Globe Newswire
What to keep in mind while building security embedded systems?
Collectively, the above three policies are called the CIA Triad.
Challenges in Embedded Security Systems
Multiple layers of protection, viz. firewalls, authentication, encryption, intrusion prevention systems, etc., safeguard the enterprise data. But, at times, embedded systems lack firewalls and are protected only through a password.
Active & Passive Attacks – Basic Difference
There are two types of attacks – active and passive. In an active attack, the hacker will try to distort the messages, whereas a passive attacker will read, observe and copy the messages.
Listing the major embedded systems security issues down below:
The job is not over after the system deployment. There are system upgrades now and then. In such cases, when the security system patching is delayed or not updated regularly, malware can enter quickly.
It’s nothing new that most embedded systems run on the same system even years after deployment. It becomes a breeding ground for such viruses to enter and breach the data. If the device needs an update, it has to be imbibed into it to make its security updating possible.
This is the worst threat that can cause a lot of destruction altogether, at once.
Each lot (a batch) of devices is of the same design – hardware and software both. If a hacker succeeds in hacking one device, they can hack into all the other pieces of the same batch.
Replicating an attack is an easier task than cracking it for the first time. This poses an increased risk to all the devices of that batch.
Devices manufactured today are durable enough to last for about a decade on average. They remain intact for years together. While developing such a secure embedded system, the manufacturer has to consider minimizing the threats that pose a risk today as well as have the scope of doing so in the coming decades.
Most manufacturers fail to estimate the device’s life cycle; hence they don’t make the devices capable of the potential risks.
DID YOU KNOW?
Data breach poses a risk to both – end-users and their privacy and system builders and their secret keys to securing the platforms.
Not all devices can stay within the perimeter of safety measures created for them. Such remotely located devices are connected directly to the internet without any security layers attached. These insecure connections cause issues to the embedded devices security.
We are highly dependent on embedded systems for our day to day management and handling. If there is a data breach or cyber security attack on the system, it will give birth to privacy concerns, personal security, etc. These can end up in catastrophic results for individual users or organizations with fields of company data.
There are specific industrial protocols that the enterprise security tools cannot protect. The firewalls created can help in enterprise-specific threats but cannot save the crucial data from the industrial protocol attacks. The risk remains unattended and unsolved.
The amount and gravity of embedded systems security risks have also gone way too high with the advancing technologies.
When it comes to the security of embedded systems, people usually assume that Embedded Devices…
The assumptions mentioned earlier are not relevant in today’s time. Yet, some people believe that their devices are completely out of risk. To their surprise, they have no idea what amount of risk lies in using embedded systems.
Top 5 Strategies to Battle Against Embedded Systems Security Threats
Security embedded systems provide the processes, practices and the best tools to secure the software running on the embedded system from an attack. These are a smart combination of hardware components with a minimal operating system.
To put it differently, Embedded Systems Security is a hardware-software partnership to save the embedded system from posed threats.
DID YOU KNOW?
Attackers or Hackers have numerous Attack Vectors.
Attack Vectors are the paths or ways for an attacker to crack into the embedded security system.
Furthermore, let us check out some security measures that an embedded software development company must use to protect the embedded cyber security from the threats mentioned above:
#1 End-To-End Risk Gauging
Here’s an analogy to understand an ideal defence system of embedded systems. Humans develop dental problems like gum infection or tooth enamel wearing off when the gums are not healthy. That being said, it means an outsider (hackers) enters and creates problems in teeth (virus) when they are not well protected.
Similarly, to secure embedded systems, the development team must ensure that they have all the probable risks covered.
#2 Using Secure Boot System for Embedded Systems
By using cryptographic algorithms, the embedded system can verify the boot image. If the verification goes through, one can understand the boot sequence is correct. On the other hand, if the boot system does not go through the verification, an unauthorized user tampered with the firmware and the internal data.
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By this, we mean that the developer must rectify & improve the security designs from time to time. We prepare a backup plan to save the system from getting hacked.
If the hackers are one step ahead, then we, as the embedded software developers, are two steps ahead of them.
#3 Use Microkernel OS to Reduce the Attack Space
Microkernel OS consumes lesser space and has a smaller code. Thus, replacing the traditional OS with the microkernel OS can reduce the space for attackers to crack into the system and cause damage. We help the clients to reduce the chance of cyber attacks on their embedded systems.
#4 Make Your Device Tampering Detection Game Strong!
Ideal and properly packaged softwares are self-controlled. Through this, you can get notified when the seal of the system breaks. This would indicate that some unknown user has tried to enter into and tamper the device. Our tamper detection is the strongest to safeguard your cyber security embedded systems.
#5 Comprehensive Life Cycle Support
We all know an embedded system equipped device like a central heating system, once deployed, is used for over ten years.
Besides, technology is advancing with each passing day, the number and type of threats are also surging. Devices today require a critical layer of protection against such risks. Efficient software developing companies prepare such backup plans well in advance.
#6 Use Modern Cryptography Techniques
We use the latest techniques of encryption to prevent unknown and unauthorized users from accessing your encrypted data. All keys, passwords, sensitive information, etc., at rest, i.e., stored on the device, can be encrypted for safety.
Embedded Systems Security – A Quick Wrap-Up!
Your query should not be if your embedded system devices are safe; it should be if they are safe enough!
Each embedded device functions differently; hence it is at a different risk than the rest. To protect the device, the security has to be so well-knit that even if the device steps out of the security perimeter range, it remains safe.
Hire IoT software development experts at Excellent Webworld to build secure and robust embedded systems for your needs. Your devices performing critical functions deserve top-notch security from advanced cyber threats.
FAQs – Embedded Systems Security
Yes, it is very much possible to hack into embedded systems. Most embedded systems are protected only through passwords; hence, hackers can hack embedded systems for ethical or unethical purposes.
Embedded systems security is complex because of the following reasons:
● Easy attacking techniques.
● Many agencies lack expertise in this field.
● Security is only as strong as its weakest link; it becomes easy to replicate and cause damage once cracked into.
Securing embedded systems is of utmost importance because these devices have sensitive company/individual information that any unknown or unauthorized user should not access. You can prevent a hacker from accessing and tampering the vital information.
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