Typically, host security agents are installed to protect and monitor desktop operating systems and applications. However, this approach is not always feasible for protecting device firmware due to the absence of necessary interfaces and constrained hardware resources, often making it invisible to network-based security tools. This security blind spot makes it more difficult to detect firmware vulnerabilities and, consequently, more challenging to address.
Traditional approaches to IoT security assessments typically focus on network and application vulnerabilities, leaving the firmware relatively unchecked. This oversight can lead to significant security risks as attackers can exploit firmware vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or control over devices. Given the critical role of firmware, a dedicated approach to firmware analysis is necessary.
Keysight’s automated IoT firmware security analysis solution — part of the Keysight IoT Security Assessment product —addresses this gap, offering deep firmware analysis capabilities from software bill of materials (SBOM) generation to vulnerability detection and beyond, ensuring comprehensive device security.
This Application Note describes its key features and benefits and includes a step-by-step user guide that shows you how to use the product to conduct IoT firmware security assessments. It serves as a guide for developers, security analysts, and business decision-makers who need to enhance the security of their IoT devices.