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Application & OT Security · Intermediate

Embedded System Security

Protecting purpose-built computing devices with constrained resources, often running real-time operating systems and long-lived firmware.

Definition

Challenges include limited CPU and memory for cryptography, long deployment lifetimes, difficult patching, physical exposure and use of memory-unsafe languages. Controls include secure boot, signed updates, hardware roots of trust, memory-safety practices such as MISRA and disabling debug interfaces.

Example

A medical infusion pump uses a hardware root of trust and signed firmware updates.

Exam tip

Expect long lifecycles and patching difficulty as the defining constraints.

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