Secure by Design and Zero-Trust Architectures for Firmware

This document is a guide that discusses the principles of Secure by Design and Zero-Trust architectures specifically for firmware. It outlines the requirements set forth by the US government and the EU regarding the development of technology products that prioritize security. The guide emphasizes that security should be integrated into the design process rather than being an afterthought. It details the importance of having secure defaults, where security configurations are included without additional costs. The document also presents best practices for firmware developers, such as code hardening and the use of secure coding techniques. Additionally, it explains the concept of Zero-Trust, which advocates for verifying all entities before trusting them, highlighting the need for rigorous checks on inputs and code updates. The guide concludes with a call to action for organizations to support Secure by Design initiatives and to implement Zero-Trust principles in their firmware development processes.