Description: Hardware integrity refers to the assurance that the physical components of a computer system are functioning correctly and have not been tampered with in any way. This means that both the hardware and its configuration are authentic and have not been altered by malicious actors. Hardware integrity is crucial for system security, as any unauthorized modification can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Various techniques are employed to ensure this integrity, such as digital signature verification, component authentication, and the use of secure enclave technologies. Hardware integrity applies not only to personal computers but also to mobile devices, servers, and embedded systems, where trust in hardware is fundamental for the secure operation of critical applications. In an environment where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, ensuring hardware integrity has become an essential aspect of cybersecurity, protecting both organizations and end-users from potential attacks that could exploit vulnerabilities in physical components.
