Hardware Security: Protecting the Physical Layer
Hardware Security: Protecting the Physical Layer Hardware security is about more than lines of code. The physical layer governs how a device starts, stores secrets, and resists tampering. When hardware is weak, attackers can bypass software defenses or steal keys directly from chips. A clear plan for the hardware helps keep data safe from the first moment a device powers on. Threats to the physical layer come from many angles. Tampering at the board level, counterfeit components, or invasive probes can expose secret keys. Side-channel methods, such as power or timing analysis, can reveal sensitive information without breaking encryption directly. Chips may be cloned or altered during manufacturing or in the field. Keeping a device secure means thinking about all these realities from design to deployment. ...