Industrial networks often contain highly sensitive or classified information. Everything from personal employee information to proprietary product formulations—and even vital financial accounts—are stored on business networks. It’s clear why many major companies treat network security very seriously—at least on the surface.
The embedded software market was estimated at $11 billion in 2017, and is forecasted to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 7 percent between 2018 and 2024. But new challenges are constantly emerging as more devices become connected through the Internet of Things (IoT).
Until recently, security in embedded software was not widely discussed. Now, if you attend any IoT conference, you will find it on the agenda of numerous presentations. Vendors of new frameworks, processes, or communication protocols all mention security even if it’s only an aside, as in, “Oh, and it’s secure.” Given that your system is only as safe as your weakest connection, it’s imperative to understand and plan for security threats you may encounter when you connect your system to the Internet of Things.
Embedded systems development is an exciting field that has become, in a few short decades, a cornerstone of the way we interact with technology. Unfortunately, our education system is not training new engineers who are effective in it. This is a major problem for our industry.