Why it matters
Connected devices often stay in the field for years and are physically accessible to attackers. A flaw found in one device can affect every unit of the same model and the cloud infrastructure behind them.
IoT and Hardware Security Testing
IoT and hardware security testing examines smart devices, embedded systems and the mobile apps and cloud services connected to them for vulnerabilities across firmware, physical interfaces and communication layers. Nokta Guard tests the device end to end, assuming it is in an attacker's hands, and gives manufacturers actionable remediation guidance.
Drag and drop, or click.Test scope
- Firmware analysis: Firmware extraction, file system review, hardcoded passwords and keys, outdated components.
- Hardware interfaces: Debug ports such as UART, JTAG and SWD, and access to memory chips.
- Update mechanism: Signature verification and insecure update channels.
- Communications: Wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth / BLE and Zigbee, and encryption of network traffic.
- Ecosystem: The mobile app, web dashboard and cloud APIs that talk to the device.
Process
We build the test plan using the OWASP IoT projects and the IoT Security Testing Guide (ISTG).
- Scoping: Device model, version, number of samples and out-of-scope actions are defined.
- Threat modeling: Use cases and likely attacker profiles are identified.
- Hardware, firmware and communication testing is performed.
- Ecosystem testing: The mobile app and cloud side are tested.
- Reporting and retesting: Findings come with fixes the manufacturer can implement; new firmware releases are retested.
Who is it for?
Manufacturers and importers of smart devices, hardware startups selling to enterprise customers, and organizations operating large fleets of connected devices.
What do you receive?
- Executive summary and product risk assessment.
- Hardware, firmware, communication and ecosystem findings with evidence and severity.
- Security recommendations for manufacturing and update processes.
- Verification report for the new firmware release.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many devices do we need to send?
Hardware testing may involve opening or modifying the device, so we usually request more than one sample. The exact number depends on scope and methods.
Can the device be damaged during testing?
Some hardware techniques, such as removing a memory chip, can render a device inoperable. These steps are discussed in advance and performed only with your approval.
Is a firmware file alone enough?
Firmware can be analyzed on its own and yields valuable findings. Testing hardware interfaces and wireless communication, however, requires a physical device.