By implementing Secure Boot, Original Device Manufacturers can meet the GPSR’s cybersecurity requirements, which are critical for maintaining market access in the EU.
The deadline of December 13, 2024, provides ODMs with a limited timeframe to ensure all products sold in the EU comply with the GPSR. Delaying the implementation of Secure Boot could lead to significant market disruptions.
Implementing Secure Boot helps build trust with consumers, demonstrating a commitment to safety and security. This proactive approach not only meets regulatory requirements but also enhances the brand’s reputation and consumer confidence in the product.
The chain of trust in the embedded Linux boot process ensures that each step verifies the integrity of the next, preventing the system from booting if any step is compromised. If a verification fails, the device halts, maintaining security throughout the startup.
The boot sequence involves several stages:
The vendor-provided ROM code verifies and launches the signed bootloader. It uses a public key stored in secure memory, like OTP, ensuring the bootloader’s authenticity.
The bootloader, such as U-Boot, checks the Linux kernel’s signature with a verified public key before launching, confirming the kernel’s integrity.
The kernel ensures the root file system's integrity by hashing data blocks and verifying them with a root hash, securing the entire file system.
After the root file System is verified and mounted, the init process starts, finalizing the boot process and ensuring the system operates from secure, trusted code.
During our free Secure Boot consultation, you’ll receive expert guidance to ensure your embedded devices are fully secure and compliant with Secure Boot standards.
Our team will assess your device’s Secure Boot readiness, identifying any vulnerabilities and helping you understand the steps needed for a successful implementation.
We’ll also provide personalized recommendations on selecting processors that are compatible with Secure Boot, such as NXP i.MX, TI Sitara, and Qualcomm Snapdragon, ensuring they meet your security requirements.
At EPTeck, we have extensive experience working with a variety of Secure Boot-friendly processors, including NXP i.MX, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Xilinx Zynq, and TI Sitara. Our team specializes in customizing Secure Boot implementations to meet the specific needs of different devices and industries, ensuring that your system is protected against unauthorized code from the moment it starts.
With in-depth knowledge of processor and SoC requirements, we also handle advanced tasks like TI factory programming of signing keys and custom part numbers, ensuring a seamless and secure setup tailored to your business.
At Odie, we highly value Epteck GmbH’s cybersecurity work. Their Secure Boot implementation in our IoT sleeptrainer has given us peace of mind, ensuring protection from unauthorized access and safeguarding sensitive data. With the upcoming EU GPSR compliance deadline, Epteck helped us meet strict standards while building trust with parents. They also supported CE certification and developed the entire IoT product—hardware, firmware, backend, and mobile app. Highly recommended for companies focused on cybersecurity and compliance
Almost all modern processors including ARM, Intel, and AMD platforms, support Secure Boot. Additionally, leading vendors of embedded controllers, such as NXP, STMicroelectronics (STM), Texas Instruments (TI), Xilinx, Microchip, and PowerPC, offer Secure Boot support in their SoCs. This makes Secure Boot widely accessible across a broad range of embedded systems.
Don’t leave your device security to chance. Secure Boot is the foundation for protecting your embedded systems. Take the first step toward safeguarding your devices with a free consultation from EPTeck.
