Overview#
Firmware feature ensuring only trusted code runs during startup. Uses cryptographic signatures to block tampered bootloaders and rootkits.
Core objectives#
- Establish shared definitions of Secure Boot for security, engineering, and leadership teams.
- Connect Secure Boot activities to measurable risk reduction and resilience goals.
- Provide onboarding notes so new team members can quickly understand how Secure Boot works here.
Implementation notes#
- Identify the primary owner for Secure Boot, the data sources involved, and the systems affected.
- Document the minimum viable process, tooling, and runbooks that keep Secure Boot healthy.
- Map Secure Boot practices to standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, or CIS Controls.
Operational signals#
- Leading indicators: early warnings that Secure Boot might degrade (e.g., backlog growth, noisy alerts, or missed SLAs).
- Lagging indicators: realized impact that shows Secure Boot failed or needs investment (e.g., incidents, audit findings).
- Feedback loops: retrospectives and metrics reviews that tune Secure Boot continuously.
Related practices#
- Align Secure Boot with defense-in-depth planning, threat modeling, and disaster recovery tests.
- Communicate updates to stakeholders through concise briefs, dashboards, and internal FAQs.
- Pair Secure Boot improvements with tabletop exercises to validate expectations.