Measured Boot
Measured Boot is a security mechanism that creates a cryptographically secure record (measurement) of each component loaded during the boot process, from firmware to the operating system kernel. It uses a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to store these measurements in Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs), enabling verification of boot integrity. This process helps detect unauthorized modifications, such as rootkits or bootkits, by ensuring that only trusted software components are executed.
Developers should learn and implement Measured Boot when building secure systems, especially in environments requiring high assurance, such as financial services, healthcare, or government applications. It is critical for compliance with standards like FIPS 140-2 or Common Criteria, and it enables features like remote attestation, where a system can prove its integrity to external parties. Use cases include securing cloud infrastructure, IoT devices, and enterprise endpoints against firmware-level attacks.