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The Embedded Linux Security Handbook
The Embedded Linux Security Handbook

The Embedded Linux Security Handbook: Fortify your embedded Linux systems from design to deployment

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The Embedded Linux Security Handbook

Welcome to the Cyber Security Landscape

Cue up the music. Welcome to the Jungle. The cyber security landscape is ever-changing and evolving. One could easily compare it to the mercurial New England weather patterns in the Northeast of the United States. Such weather can be dangerous for a hiker; similarly, such changes in cyber threats can be devastating for a technology solution.

In the coming chapters, we will dive deeper into the realm of Linux-embedded systems (or embedded Linux systems, also known as Linux appliances, or simply appliances) and exactly how you can apply this new knowledge to secure your solutions. We’ll make this journey together, and at the end of the tunnel, you will be best positioned to build a better appliance.

This chapter is here just to set the foundation of Linux-embedded systems before we dive deeper. In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

  • What is a Linux-embedded system?
  • How are Linux-embedded systems used?
  • ...

What is a Linux-embedded system?

It’s probably safe to assume that if you’re reading this book, you may have some knowledge of what your company defines as a Linux-embedded system. To truly have a rich understanding of this subject, let’s review the appliance model for creating sellable solutions.

The appliance model provides solutions and services that an organization (or individual) cannot easily build for themselves. This also addresses another limitation; oftentimes, users of these appliances have little to no access to any technologists who would take on ownership of the care of said solution. The appliance model is most prevalent in home consumer electronics but touches every known vertical in the industry.

Most appliances leverage purpose-built hardware and have unique form factors that best enable their usage. These solutions are all around us every day. Some easily identifiable consumer appliance examples would be your home’s Wi-Fi router...

How are Linux-embedded systems used?

Linux-embedded systems are everywhere. Most people don’t give it a second thought. I venture the guess that you reach for one of these things when you first wake up in the morning and engage with it countless times every day. Your smartphone is a Linux-embedded system and, in my opinion, is an awesome example of one.

Embedded Linux systems surround us; some with stealth, others with pure elegance and entertainment, with all the beauty and grace their builders have instilled in their design. These appliance solutions run a massive range of use cases. Some are a complete solution and others are but a simple component to a greater ecosystem or solution.

Most, when successfully designed and implemented, provide services to their user community seamlessly without the user even having to think about what is happening under the covers. Much of this must be credited to how resilient, lightweight, and flexible Linux solutions can be. A Microsoft...

Why is securing Linux-embedded systems so important?

Why is securing Linux-embedded solutions systems (appliances) so important? Well, this answer truly has multiple aspects depending on who you ask.

The most obvious answer would simply be to prevent liability and loss of credibility in the marketplace. Lately, it seems that there’s an ever-growing list of companies whose offerings have become compromised and, as a result, their customers are grievously impacted.

The impact of such a breach can be the loss of personal information for the users (insert gasp here!) or even worse, unauthorized access to systems or data without the knowledge of those running the systems. Each year, these breaches result in billions of dollars in correlated losses and open these companies to legal action by their user base. The image impact on one’s brand can last far longer in people’s minds than you’d think.

It’s highly documented that data leaks, breaches,...

Summary

In this first chapter, you will have gained a solid understanding of how an embedded Linux system is defined. We’ve shown you some wide-ranging examples of where embedded Linux systems are leveraged today. Most importantly, we’ve reviewed some critical reasons why having these devices delivered to their customers as securely as possible is mandatory for those building such solutions. In the next chapter, we’ll dive deep into why security starts with a great design.

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Key benefits

  • Develop secure, user-friendly interfaces with streamlined configuration, updates, and life cycle support
  • Learn how to integrate popular security techniques for embedded Linux into the development process
  • Integrate advanced hardware with software security features to enhance your solution’s resilience
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

As embedded Linux systems power countless devices in our daily lives, they’ve become prime targets for cyberattacks. In this in-depth guide to safeguarding your Linux devices, the author leverages his 30+ years of technology experience to help you mitigate the risks associated with hardware and software vulnerabilities. This book introduces you to the world of embedded systems, the brains behind your everyday appliances. It takes you through the different types of embedded systems, their uses, and the platforms they run on, while addressing their unique security challenges and support considerations. You’ll learn how to build a successful, secure, and user-friendly solution by exploring the critical hardware and software components that form the foundation of a secure appliance. We won't forget the human element either; you'll find out how to configure your system to prevent user errors and maintain its integrity. The book lets you put your newfound knowledge into action, guiding you through designing a robust build chain that supports the entire life cycle of your appliance solution, enabling seamless updates without your direct involvement. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to adapt your appliance to the ever-evolving threat landscape, ensuring its continued security and functionality in real-world conditions.

Who is this book for?

This book helps embedded systems professionals, embedded software engineers, and Linux security professionals gain the skills needed to address critical security requirements during the design, development, and testing of software for embedded systems. If you’re a product manager or architect, this book will teach you how to identify and integrate essential security features based on the specific platforms and their intended users.

What you will learn

  • Understand how to determine the optimal hardware platform based on design criteria
  • Recognize the importance of security by design in embedded systems
  • Implement advanced security measures such as TPM, LUKS encryption, and Secure Boot processes
  • Discover best practices for secure life cycle management, including appliance update and upgrade mechanisms
  • Create a secure software supply chain efficiently
  • Implement childproofing by controlling access and resources on the appliance

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Publication date : Apr 10, 2025
Length: 278 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781835885659
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Publication date : Apr 10, 2025
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Table of Contents

19 Chapters
Part 1:Introduction to Embedded Systems and Secure Design Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 1: Welcome to the Cyber Security Landscape Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: Security Starts at the Design Table Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: Applying Design Requirements Criteria – Hardware Selection Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: Applying Design Requirements Criteria – the Operating System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 2: Design Components Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: Basic Needs in My Build Chain Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: Disk Encryption Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: The Trusted Platform Module Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: Boot, BIOS, and Firmware Security Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Image-Based Deployments Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 10: Childproofing the Solution: Protection from the End-User and Their Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 3: The Build Chain, Appliance Lifecycle, and Continuous Improvement Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 11: Knowing the Threat Landscape – Staying Informed Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 12: Are My Devices’ Communications and Interactions Secure? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 13: Applying Government Security Standards – System Hardening Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 14: Customer and Community Feedback Loops Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

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