Trusted Boot
Trusted Boot is a security mechanism that ensures a computing system boots using only trusted software, starting from the hardware root of trust and verifying each component in the boot chain before execution. It prevents unauthorized or malicious code from running during startup, protecting against attacks like rootkits and bootkits. This process typically involves cryptographic verification of firmware, bootloader, and operating system components.
Developers should learn and implement Trusted Boot in security-critical applications such as financial systems, healthcare devices, and IoT deployments to ensure system integrity from power-on. It is essential for compliance with standards like FIPS 140-2 or Common Criteria, and for protecting against advanced persistent threats that target early boot stages. Use cases include secure servers, embedded systems, and devices requiring tamper resistance.