Security architecture
Trust chain, threat model and security requirements defined before implementation.
Discuss thisFirmware & EmbeddedEmbedded security
Embedded security
designed in, not added after launch.
Security added after a device ships rarely covers the whole system. We design the trust chain early — secure boot, signed updates, key handling, encrypted storage and secure onboarding — so a compromised network or a physical attacker does not become a compromised device.
- Secure boot & signed updates
- Key management
- Device hardening
Why device security is added too lateSecurity that starts at the
Security that starts at the
network boundary stops nothing.
A device with an unsigned bootloader, a shared factory key and plaintext storage can be permanently compromised by an attacker with physical access, even if every network path is encrypted. Once that happens, no certificate you issue later will restore trust in the device.
We build the trust chain from the root of trust outward: immutable boot, verified images, per-device keys, protected storage and revocable credentials. Each layer assumes the one below it may already be hostile.
Root of trust first. If the first instruction the processor runs can be replaced, nothing above it can be trusted, so the boot chain is designed before features are added.
- 01Root of trust established
Immutable or protected boot stage with a verified chain from the first instruction.
- 02Per-device identity
Unique keys per device, so one compromised unit does not compromise the fleet.
- 03Signed, revocable updates
Updates verified before they run, with a path to revoke compromised firmware.
- 04Hardening documented
Interfaces, services and credentials reviewed and tightened, with the reasoning recorded.
- Boot chain verifiedEach boot stage verified before the next runs, so a modified image never executes.
- Keys per deviceUnique credentials per unit, so compromising one device does not expose the fleet.
- Updates revocableCompromised firmware can be withdrawn rather than requiring a field recall.
- Hardening recordedFindings and their resolution documented, so the review can be repeated and audited.
What we deliver
Embedded security services
Security work can be a focused review of an existing device or the full design of the trust chain for a new one.
Secure boot implementation
Verified boot chain, immutable stages, anti-rollback and recovery paths.
Discuss thisFirmware signing & keys
Signing infrastructure, key hierarchy, storage, rotation and revocation.
Discuss thisEncrypted storage & secrets
Encrypted flash, key derivation and secret handling for device credentials.
Discuss thisSecure onboarding
Device identity, provisioning and certificate issuance designed for your deployment.
Discuss thisDevice hardening & review
Services, interfaces, debug access and credentials reviewed and tightened.
Discuss thisWhat is included in scope
Scope is agreed in writing before work starts, so deliverables and responsibilities are clear.
- Threat modelAssets, attack surfaces and the realistic threats to this product documented and agreed.
- Root of trustHardware root of trust, protected boot stages and the verification chain implemented.
- Keys & identityKey hierarchy, per-device identity, storage, rotation and revocation designed.
- Secure updateSigned images, version policy, anti-rollback and a recovery path for failed updates.
- Data protectionEncrypted storage, secret handling and authenticated communication implemented.
- Hardening & documentationAttack surface reduced, debug access controlled, and the review documented for audit.
Capabilities
Embedded security capability
Each layer is designed assuming the layer beneath it may already be compromised, which is the only model that survives a physical attacker.
Threat modelling
Assets, entry points and realistic attack paths documented before controls are chosen.
Secure boot
Verified boot chains, immutable stages, anti-rollback and controlled recovery.
Key management
Key hierarchy, secure storage, rotation, revocation and per-device identity.
Encrypted storage
Encrypted flash, authenticated data and safe handling of stored credentials.
Secure onboarding
Provisioning, identity issuance and enrolment flows designed for your deployment.
Update security
Signed updates, version policy, staged rollout and withdrawal of compromised images.
Hardware integration
Security elements, OTP, fuses and hardware keys integrated into the board design.
Hardening & audit
Attack surface reduced, debug paths controlled and findings documented.
The bootloader and update mechanisms are built in firmware development, and the hardware side of the trust chain in circuit design.
Our process
How a security review or design runs
Threat model, trust chain, keys and updates, then hardening and documentation.
Threat model & review
Assets, attack surfaces and current protections assessed and documented.
Security assessmentTrust chain design
Root of trust, boot verification, keys and identity designed together.
Security architectureImplementation
Boot, signing, storage protection and onboarding implemented and tested.
Security implementationHardening & handover
Attack surface reduced, testing evidence and documentation delivered for audit.
Security report
Technologies
Security technologies
Controls are selected to match the device lifetime and the threat level, not to satisfy a checklist.
- Hardware root of trustOTP, fuses, hardware keys and protected boot stages on the processor or a companion chip
- Boot verificationSignature checks, measured boot and anti-rollback enforcement
- CryptographyModern authenticated encryption and signing algorithms with hardware acceleration
- Key managementKey hierarchy, per-device derivation, secure storage, rotation and revocation
- Secure updateSigned images, staged rollout, rollback protection and update revocation
- Identity & onboardingDevice certificates, provisioning flows and credential lifecycle management
We avoid recommending cryptography that is difficult to implement correctly. Where a hardware security element is justified by the threat we say so; where it is not, we keep the design simpler.
Industries
Firmware that fits your industry’s constraints.
Safety, connectivity and lifecycle expectations differ by sector, and they shape the architecture from the start.
Defence
Rugged, secure and mission-critical systems with controlled supply and documentation.
DefenceIndustrial
Control panels, motor drives, gateways and automation hardware for continuous operation.
IndustrialHealthcare
Diagnostic and monitoring devices designed with patient safety and compliance in mind.
HealthcareEnergy & power
Monitoring, metering, conversion and control electronics for energy and power systems.
Energy & powerAutomotive
In-cabin electronics, LED drivers and control units designed around automotive electrical and thermal expectations.
AutomotiveRailways
Onboard and signalling electronics built for vibration, temperature cycling and long maintenance cycles.
RailwaysCapability examplesSee the engineering problem.
See the engineering problem.
Imagine the possibilities.
The scenarios below illustrate the kind of work we do — they are not published client case studies or measured results. Ask us about relevant experience for your product.
Illustrative · Field-deployed device
A device needing trustworthy updates
Challenge: Firmware could be replaced on a device in the field without detection.
Approach: Signed images, verified boot and anti-rollback implemented, with a path to withdraw a bad release.
Explore IoT & sensorsIllustrative · Connected product
A product with shared factory credentials
Challenge: Every device used the same key, so extracting one exposed the whole fleet.
Approach: Per-device identity with protected key storage and revocable credentials designed in.
Explore connectivityIllustrative · Regulated device
A device subject to security expectations
Challenge: Stored configuration and credentials were readable if the device was opened.
Approach: Encrypted storage, controlled debug access and hardening documented for review.
Explore testing & complianceFrequently asked questionsGood questions.
Good questions.
Clear starting points.
What buyers usually want to know before scoping this kind of work.
Ask about your requirements →What embedded security services do you offer?
Security architecture and threat modelling, secure boot implementation, firmware signing and key management, encrypted storage, secure onboarding, update security, and device hardening reviews.
Do we need secure boot on a simple device?
It depends on how long the device lives, whether it can be reached physically and what a compromised device would cost. We will give you a straight assessment rather than selling features you do not need.
How are device keys handled?
Keys are generated per device, stored in protected hardware where available, and organised in a hierarchy that allows rotation and revocation. Shared factory keys are avoided because they expose the whole fleet.
Can an update be withdrawn if it is found to be faulty?
Yes, provided the update chain supports version policy and revocation. We design that capability in from the start, because retrofitting it to a shipped fleet is extremely difficult.
Do you work on existing devices?
Yes. We can review an existing product’s boot chain, key handling, update mechanism and attack surface, then prioritise the changes by risk and effort.
Do you provide certificates or a public key infrastructure?
We integrate with the certificate or identity system you use and can design the enrolment and rotation flows. The specific provider depends on your deployment and commercial requirements.
Related services
Firmware & Embedded
Explore the rest of the programme, or get in touch about this service directly.
Start your projectLet’s establish trust
Let’s establish trust
before you ship.
Tell us what the device does, how long it will be in the field, whether it can be physically accessed and what a compromised device would mean. We will give you a prioritised assessment.
No complete specification needed. A short brief of your product and goals is enough to start.
What happens next?
- Share your product goal, application and current stage.
- Discuss the components, interfaces and constraints that matter.
- Agree a practical next step and the scope for a proposal.