A Quantitative Framework for Assessing and Enhancing Hardware Security Resilience

In the era of rapidly advancing technology, ensuring robust hardware security for embedded systems is paramount, especially for devices deployed in critical sectors. This paper introduces a novel Hardware Security Assurance Framework (HSAF) for assessing and enhancing hardware security resilience in embedded systems. By systematically evaluating security features across PCB, chip, software and firmware, and operational and environmental levels, the HSAF provides a comprehensive analysis of the security posture of various hardware models. We applied this framework to three widely used Raspberry Pi models, uncovering significant differences in their security capabilities. Key results indicate that the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B demonstrates the highest overall security assurance, making it suitable for critical applications. In contrast, the Raspberry Pi Zero W exhibits minimal security features, posing significant risks. This study underscores the importance of a structured hardware security evaluation to inform the development of more secure embedded systems.