Hardware Security Glossary
Last reviewed: · Reviewed by the BRIGHTCYTE technical team
Hardware-Level Security Intelligence
Hardware-Level Security Intelligence is the detection and analysis of suspicious behavior originating from firmware, BIOS/UEFI, management engines, peripheral controllers, and hardware components.
Firmware Malware
Firmware malware is malicious code that runs inside device firmware rather than as a normal operating-system process. It can be difficult to detect because it may execute before or below the operating system.
BIOS/UEFI Rootkit
A BIOS or UEFI rootkit is malware that manipulates system firmware to gain persistence, interfere with the boot process, or hide malicious activity from normal security tools.
Hardware Implant
A hardware implant is an unauthorized physical component or modification that can monitor, manipulate, or communicate from within a device.
Covert Communication
Covert communication is hidden or unauthorized communication designed to avoid detection. In hardware-level attacks, it may originate from firmware, management engines, or manipulated components.
Sources and Further Reading
MITRE ATT&CK
MITRE ATT&CK: Pre-OS Boot (T1542)Reference for firmware, bootkit, and pre-OS techniques described in these terms.
NIST · 2018
NIST SP 800-193: Platform Firmware Resiliency GuidelinesAuthoritative guidance on firmware integrity that underpins several glossary definitions.