Embedded Systems and Security

Professional Certification Program in
Embedded Systems and Security

Program Overview
Program Curriculum

Price

₹1,18,000

Duration

1 Year

Eligibility

10th | 12th | B.Tech | M.Tech

Format

Offline

Outcomes

Skill Certificate 

About Program

Embedded systems are specialized computing systems designed for specific functions within a larger system. These can be found in IoT devices, industrial automation, automotive systems, medical equipment and more. The security of these systems is crucial because they often handle sensitive data and interact with critical infrastructure.

  1. Data Security in Embedded Systems
    • Embedded systems process and store data, making them vulnerable to cyber threats such as unauthorized access, malware and data breaches.
    • Encryption and authentication mechanisms are used to protect data from attacks.
  2. System Security in Embedded Devices
    • Secure boot processes, hardware-level security modules, and tamper-resistant designs help protect embedded devices from unauthorized modifications.
    • Regular software updates and patches help mitigate vulnerabilities.
  3. Embedded Systems as Attack Vectors
    • Compromised embedded systems can serve as entry points for attackers to infiltrate larger networks.
    • Security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and real-time monitoring help prevent cyberattacks.
  4. Regulatory Compliance
    • Many industries have security standards (e.g., ISO 27001 for information security, IEC 62443 for industrial automation security) that embedded systems must comply with.
Register for Awareness Session

Career Scope

The combination of embedded systems with information and system security offers various career opportunities, including:

  1. Embedded Security Engineer
    • Designs secure embedded systems with encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms.
  2. Cybersecurity Analyst for IoT & Embedded Systems
    • Analyzes vulnerabilities in embedded devices and develops security strategies.
  3. Firmware Security Engineer
    • Ensures the security of firmware in IoT devices, industrial automation, and consumer electronics.
  4. Penetration Tester for Embedded Systems
    • Performs ethical hacking on embedded devices to identify security weaknesses.
  5. Security Architect for Critical Infrastructure
    • Designs security frameworks for embedded systems in healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors.
  6. IoT Security Specialist
    • Focuses on securing IoT networks and embedded devices against cyber threats.
  7. Research & Development in Secure Embedded Systems
    • Works on developing new security solutions for embedded applications in academia or corporate R&D labs.

Structured Career Path

To build a strong career in Embedded Systems & Cybersecurity, follow these five key steps:

Step 1: Build a Strong Foundation

Education & Degrees (Optional but Recommended)

Step 2: Gain Hands-on Experience

Work on Projects

  • Build and secure an IoT-based home automation system (e.g., using Raspberry Pi & MQTT with encryption).
  • Develop firmware security features (e.g., Secure Boot, Firmware Signing).

Experiment with Hardware Security

  • Use Arduino & Raspberry Pi for hardware security experiments.
  • Learn hardware hacking techniques (e.g., firmware dumping, side-channel attacks).

Participate in CTF Challenges

  • Try TryHackMe’s IoT Security Labs.
  • Join Hack The Box (HTB) for hands-on embedded security tasks.

Step 3: Get Certified (To Boost Job Opportunities)

Must-have Certifications:

  • Certified IoT Security Practitioner (CIoTSP) – CertNexus
  • Certified Embedded Systems Engineer (CESE) – IEEE
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council

Advanced Certifications:

  • Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP): GIAC (For securing critical infrastructure)
  • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): Offensive Security (For penetration testing on embedded devices)

Step 4: Build a Portfolio & Network

Showcase Your Skills

  • Create a GitHub repository with embedded security projects.
  • Write technical blogs about security vulnerabilities in IoT & embedded systems.

Join Security Communities & Conferences

  • Black Hat & DEF CON (for cybersecurity insights)
  • Embedded Systems Week (ESWEEK) (for networking with industry experts)

Step 5: Apply for Jobs in Embedded Security

Industries Hiring Embedded Security Experts

  • IoT & Smart Devices: Secure IoT devices in consumer electronics.
  • Automotive Security: Work on autonomous vehicles and connected cars.
  • Medical Devices Security: Protect life-critical embedded systems.
  • Aerospace & Defense: Develop security solutions for drones, avionics, and military applications.
  • Industrial Control Systems (ICS/SCADA): Secure infrastructure like power plants and water treatment systems.

Job Titles to Look For:

  • Embedded Security Engineer
  • IoT Security Specialist
  • Cybersecurity Analyst (Embedded Systems)
  • Firmware Security Engineer
  • Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer

Program Curriculum

Quarter 01 - Embedded Foundations

  1. Introduction to Embedded Systems & Microcontrollers
    • Basics of embedded systems. 
    • Architecture of microcontrollers (ARM, AVR, ESP32). 
    • Introduction to development boards (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32)
  2. Programming for Embedded Systems
    • C & C++ programming basics.
    • Assembly language introduction
    • Python for embedded systems
  3. Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) Basics
    • Introduction to RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr)
    • Task scheduling and resource management
  4. Basic Hardware Interfacing & Sensors
    • GPIO, UART, I2C, SPI communication protocols
    • Working with sensors & actuators (temperature, motion, etc.)
  5. Hands-on Mini Project:
    • Build a temperature monitoring system using Arduino & Python.
Know More

Quarter 02 - Secure Systems & IoT

  1. Advanced Microcontroller Programming & Firmware Development
    • Embedded C & assembly optimization
    • Debugging firmware using JTAG/SWD
  2. Embedded Security Fundamentals
    • Threat landscape of embedded devices
    • Secure coding practices for embedded software
    • Encryption & authentication in embedded systems
  3. Internet of Things (IoT) & Communication Protocols
    • MQTT, CoAP, and HTTP for IoT devices
    • Wireless communication (BLE, Zigbee, LoRa)
  4. Secure Boot & Firmware Protection
    • Understanding secure boot mechanisms
    • Firmware signing & validation
  5. Hands-on Mini Project:
    • Develop a secure smart home system with ESP32
Know More

Quarter 03 - Hack the Hardware

  1. Hardware Security & Reverse Engineering
    • Hardware hacking techniques (JTAG, UART, SPI sniffing)
    • Introduction to side-channel attacks
  2. Secure Software Development for Embedded Systems
    • Secure coding techniques in C & Python
    • Protection against buffer overflows & memory corruption
  3. Penetration Testing of Embedded Devices
    • Introduction to ethical hacking tools (Wireshark, Metasploit)
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in IoT devices
  4. Malware Analysis & Firmware Exploitation
    • Analyzing firmware vulnerabilities
    • Sandboxing & threat detection for embedded systems
  5. Hands-on Mini Project:
    • Perform a penetration test on a smart IoT device
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Quarter 04 - Cyber-Defender Pro

  1. Automotive & Medical Device Security
    • CAN Bus security in vehicles
    • Securing medical IoT devices
  2. SCADA & Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security
    • Industrial embedded security fundamentals
    • Securing PLCs and SCADA networks
  3. AI & Machine Learning in Embedded Security
    • Using AI to detect anomalies in embedded systems
    • Machine learning for intrusion detection
  4. Capstone Project & Final Assessment
    • Students choose an industry-specific project (Automotive, IoT, Medical Devices, ICS)
    • Presentation & hands-on evaluation
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