On Target: Embedded Systems

Help ~ Someone Hacked my Toaster!

In the PC world, security issues are generally well understood and often even addressed by the masses. It’s a different story in the M2M and embedded market. Recognition of security risks and the number of steps taken to address security vary across each level of the embedded ecosystem - by industry, manufacturer, component supplier, and end user. The potential impact of consumer device security failures extends across the Internet of Things ecosystem - far beyond traditional mobile and consumer devices. Thankfully, the general public appears to be catching on. Results from our consumer survey confirm that a growing number of... Read more →

VDC to Present Embeddy Awards Live at Design West

Want to see the latest technologies and tricks for embedded engineering? Head to Design West next month in San Jose, CA! Contact us ASAP to schedule a meeting VDC will be attending the Design West/ESC conference from Tuesday April 23 through Thursday April 25. At the show, we will be presenting our 9th annual Embeddy Awards. The winners will be announced Live during Thursday's morning keynote session. So how can your company win the Embeddy award? To be considered, First, fill out this on-line form: http://svy.mk/WU0abA You must also schedule a meeting with VDC to discuss the announcement that you... Read more →

Feeling Insecure?

Then come see my presentation on secure device development best practices at Embedded World! The device development landscape is changing rapidly. The potential cost of security risks looming on the horizon is already causing many OEMs to reevaluate their engineering solutions and processes. I will discuss some of the steps you can take and products you should use when building next generation connected devices. When: 3:00 pm CET Where: Embedded World - Nuremberg, Germany Want to meet at Embedded World? Please contact us if you would like to meet up while in Germany. We are interested in speaking with vendors... Read more →

Embedded Security: The Bark is Bigger than the Bite, Part 2

In part one of this blog, we discussed findings showing the limited security actions taken to date in the Industrial Automation and Energy/Power industries. Unfortunately, the gap between stated interest in security and the actions taken to address these concerns is not limited to this vertical. For example, 29% of engineers in military/aerospace and almost 38% of automotive engineers reported their current project involves no security actions. Google has received a great deal of press about their progress in this area, developing their self-driving car. Aaron Robinson, a columnist with Car and Driver magazine wrote about security issues, as they... Read more →

Don’t Forget to Lock Your Windows

Security is one of the most buzzworthy and sensationalized topics in the embedded market in recent memory. Even 60 minutes has devoted time to the topic. Although device security may not have been at top of Andy Rooney’s interest list, the threat is real. In the same way that the devices across all facets of our lives have become more intelligent and more connected, they have simultaneously come under a sort of evolutionary entrapment. Their increased functionality has made them both more valuable and more attractive targets of attack. And this dynamic extends from everything from mobile phones to medical... Read more →

Embedded Security: The Bark is Bigger than the Bite, Part 1

Security has been top of mind with most executives of leading embedded suppliers who we spoke to in the past year. This should come as little surprise given the growing awareness of the potential impact of security breaches. As today’s devices and systems grow more complex and connected, this threat is growing exponentially. Time and again, we hear of some hacker or industrious engineering student demonstrating, either maliciously or as an educational warning, that a linked network may only be as secure as its most vulnerable element. In a recent conversation with one of the foremost automated test and verification... Read more →

The Embedded Software Beat

A Q&A with Jacques Brygier, VP of Marketing, SYSGO This interview is the fifth in a series that we have conducted with embedded software solution providers to share their views on their company, products, and state of the market. VDC: SYSGO has been in the embedded software business for over 20 years; can you briefly introduce the company to our readers? Brygier: SYSGO has been providing software solutions for the embedded market since its foundation in 1991. The company, headquartered in Mainz, Germany, has developed skills and expertise over the years into two areas, actually very complementary: industrial embedded Linux... Read more →

Dude, what did you do in your car?

Data privacy has long been a hot contested topic fought between privacy advocates and governing bodies. The definitions of privacy laws and ownership of data are increasingly challenged as electrical systems today become more sophisticated and accrue more information. In recent years, the automotive industry has provided more kindling for the fire with the installation of event data recorders (EDR) – much like a black box in an aircraft – in most (85+%) new vehicles. Without regulation of these devices, whose presence is generally unknown, everyday drivers are potentially vulnerable to their vehicles’ data being misused by authorities and insurance... Read more →

Attend the Amphion Forum on December 5th in San Francisco

Join hundreds of the brightest minds from business, academia, government and defense, as we reach for a common goal: a safer, more secure Internet of Things. At Amphion, you’ll understand the threats, and what you can actually do about them. You’ll return to your organization with actionable intelligence you can use to make the devices you make or use safer and more secure. VDC's Chris Rommel will be a featured speaker at the event, and will also be participating in a panel discussion along with representatives from Intel, McAfee, Wind River, and Metaforic. Don’t miss your chance to attend the... Read more →

The Embedded Software Beat

A Q&A with Stefan Skarin, Chief Executive Officer, IAR Systems Group AB. This interview is the fourth in a series that we look to conduct during the course of 2012 with embedded software solution providers to share their views on their company, products, and state of the market. VDC was fortunate to catch up with Mr. Skarin in advance of the ARM TechCon where IAR Systems will be announcing and demonstrating new products. VDC: IAR Systems is a long-time supplier of software development solutions to the embedded market. Can you briefly introduce the company to our readers? Skarin: IAR Systems... Read more →