Embedded Systems Security Challenges

Abstract

In a world of pervasive computing, embedded systems can be found in a wide range of products and are employed in various heterogeneous domains. The abovementioned devices often need to access, store, manipulate and/or communicate sensitive or even critical information, making the security of their resources and services an important concern in their design process. These issues are further exacerbated by the resource-constrained nature of the devices, in conjunction with the ever-present need for smaller size and lower production costs. This paper aims to provide an overview of the challenges in designing secure embedded systems, covering both node hardware and software issues, as well as relevant network protocols and cryptographic algorithms. Moreover, recent advances in the field are identified, highlighting opportunities for future research.