Challenges
- To comply with FDA medical device regulations, a Class 2 device required secure boot functionality to prevent malicious code execution during bootup.
- The selected ST microcontroller had limited capabilities to support secure boot, posing challenges to the engineering team.
- A change of microcontroller was suggested, but this option would increase expenses and cause delays in product launch.
Solution
- Zimetrics effectively tackled the limitations by leveraging our in-depth knowledge of the secure boot process and subject matter expertise with ST microcontrollers.
- Through skillful implementation of the required boot script, code, and processes, secure boot was successfully established within a short timeframe.
- As a result, the medical device became market-ready, meeting the necessary security standards for production.
- Zimetrics also developed a secure Firmware Update Over The Air (FOTA) solution, enabling field devices’ firmware to be updated remotely.
Impact Generated
- Implementing secure boot on the existing microcontroller proved to be a game-changer, saving significant engineering costs and accelerating the time-to-market.
- The decision to avoid changing the microcontroller not only minimized expenses but also ensured the timely availability of the product to address the pressing medical needs of patients.