Exploring hardware controls

When it comes to building a secure ECU, hardware security controls are king, earning them the first spot among cybersecurity controls to consider. This family of controls forms the foundation upon which software-based cybersecurity controls become possible. This becomes evident when vulnerabilities in hardware are discovered, creating challenges for software developers due to the complexity of crafting and deploying workarounds. In the same vein, if the performance needs of hardware security controls are overlooked, their deployment in time-sensitive automotive systems can become a significant hurdle. Even when implemented correctly and with adequate performance, lack of attention to the usability factor can make such controls hard to deploy, which in some cases results in the user disabling them altogether. Thus, hardware controls should be seen as critical security enablers that must be carefully selected to ensure they can achieve their intended cybersecurity...