Cybersecurity Hardware: Protecting physical devices and systems

Key findings:

• Hardware-based IT security offers tamper resistance, device-level encryption and secure booting, making it an essential part of any security strategy.

• Only a combination of hardware and software security provides effective, multi-layered protection against advanced cyber attacks.

• Devices such as HSMs, hardware firewalls and mobile media scanners effectively eliminate risks from physical access and malware.

• Protection of external media and control of devices in the supply chain are as important areas today as the network and end systems.

• Solutions from OPSWAT enable organizations to take full control of the hardware aspect of security – from implementation to monitoring and compliance.

Table of Contents:

1. What is cybersecurity hardware

2. Types of safety equipment

3. Key features and capabilities

4. Implementation and management

5. Threats and vulnerabilities

6. Standards, protocols and compliance

7. New and specialized applications

8. Advantages and limitations

9. Protection of external media

10. The most common questions

What is cybersecurity hardware

Cybersecurity hardware is physical equipment designed to protect IT and network systems. Unlike software, it operates at the physical level, providing, for example, encryption, authentication, threat detection and tamper resistance. These devices are the foundation in sectors that require a high level of security.

Types of safety equipment

• Network devices – e.g., hardware firewalls, UTM systems, IDS/IPS that analyze traffic in real time.

• Endpoint hardware – e.g. USB tokens, smart cards, biometric modules used in computers and mobile devices.

• Cryptographic modules – HSMs (Hardware Security Modules) for key storage, digital signatures and encryption operations.

Key features and capabilities

• Encryption and access control – dedicated cryptography components reduce CPU load.

• Hardware authentication – such as with TPM, secure elements or biometrics.

• Packet inspection – accelerated network traffic analysis, anomaly detection, policy protection.

• Secure Boot – prevents booting of unauthorized firmware.

Implementation and management

Devices can be deployed locally (on-premises), in edge or cloud environments. Centralized management systems enable configuration, provisioning, firmware updates and monitoring.
Effective management includes log collection, patch planning and incident response.

Threats and vulnerabilities

• Physical manipulation – such as replacing components, stealing data from chips.

• Supply chain attacks – infection of firmware during production or transportation.

• Side-channel attacks – e.g., analysis of electromagnetic emissions or power consumption.
  Recommended practices include enforce secure boot, network scanning for rogue devices, and hardware forensics.

Standards, protocols and compliance

• Security certifications: FIPS 140-2/3, Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408), PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001

• Protocols: TLS, IPsec, IEEE 802.1X

• NIST guidelines: SP 800-147, SP 800-193 – for equipment lifecycle management, among others

New and specialized applications

• Security of IoT and embedded systems – using MCUs and secure elements in a challenging environment.

• Physical layer – protection against eavesdropping, interference or signal interception in critical infrastructure and military.

Advantages and limitations

Advantages:

• Resistance to physical manipulation

• Better performance than software

• Protection of cryptographic keys

• CPU load reduction

Limitations:

• Higher costs

• Less flexibility

• Requiring maintenance and monitoring

Protection of external media

Mobile media are a common source of infections and data leaks.
OPSWAT offers solutions such as:

• MetaDefender Kiosk™ – for scanning and sanitizing USB devices

• MetaDefender Media Firewall™ – enforcing security policies

• OPSWAT Central Management™ central management and reporting console

The most common questions

Is hardware security better than software?
No – both are essential. The best results come from their simultaneous implementation.

What is hardware security?
It’s protection of systems at the physical level – including HSMs, tokens, hardware encryption and access control.

Why isn’t software enough?
Software can be more easily circumvented – it requires patching and is susceptible to exploits. Hardware provides durability and resilience.

What OPSWAT devices help protect carriers?
MetaDefender Kiosk™, Media Firewall™, Central Management™ – together they form a closed system for peripheral device control and threat removal.

Want to implement professional hardware security? Contact us and see a demo tailored to your infrastructure needs.