When it comes to cybersecurity, most people focus on software and operating systems — but your device’s firmware is just as important to protect. Firmware controls the low-level functions of your hardware, and if left unpatched or unsecured, it can become a target for sophisticated attacks. In this article, we’ll explain what firmware is, why it matters for your security, and how to keep it updated and protected to prevent hidden vulnerabilities in your IT environment.
You know that your business needs to keep its operating systems (OSs) up to date. Installing patches as they are released helps protect your OS and software applications from attack.
Yet firmware can be easily overlooked when setting up cyber protection. You’re opening up Explorer every day, and your business relies on its Excel spreadsheets, but you don’t think about the basic software that runs the hardware as intended – that’s the firmware.
Without firmware, your computer wouldn’t know how to detect its hard drive, and the gears on the business printer wouldn’t spin to pull the paper through the device. There’s firmware in network and sound cards, routers, range extenders, keyboards, and more. Firmware also makes your webcam or surveillance camera work correctly.
The Need to Update Firmware
Cybercriminals aren’t known for their lazy reliance on just one tactic. Instead, they are constantly finding new ways to exploit business devices and systems, and this includes attacking firmware. Without securing your firmware, you run the risk of bad actors:
- spying on business activity
- stealing business data
- taking control of your business computers
You may think you’re safe because you have antivirus scans in place, but hackers can get around those by embedding their malware in your firmware. In the past, they could guess firmware manufacturers weren’t prioritizing security. That’s changing now that firmware exploits have gained attention.
Manufacturers release firmware updates for at least a few years after initial release. The goal is to ensure the stability of the device your business depends upon.
Find firmware updates online at the manufacturer’s website. You might also look on the device support page. Make it a policy to consistently seek out firmware release updates. That way, the business is up to date with new patches to fix holes or fresh vulnerabilities.
Taking Care of Business Firmware
Too many people aren’t thinking about the firmware threat; it’s a set-it-and-forget-it problem. Once people set up their devices, they don’t think about the possibility of a future compromise.
For example, in last year’s Avast Threat Landscape Report, 60 percent of users had never updated router firmware. Yet router hijackers can inject malicious HTML and gain access to usernames and passwords.
Businesses are growing more reliant on technology, particularly connected technology. (Thank you, Wi-Fi and Internet of Things.) This is also expanding the attack surface, or points of vulnerability, available to cyber bad guys. Don’t become complacent. Apply patches when issued to all business connections and technology.
Now you know what firmware is and why it matters, that doesn’t mean you’re any closer to being able to actually update it all. Partner with one of our technicians. We can do an audit of all your firmware and find any holes that need plugging.
🔐 Worried About Firmware Vulnerabilities?
Outdated or unprotected firmware can be a hidden entry point for cybercriminals. At Landon Technologies, we offer proactive cybersecurity services, Managed IT Services, and remote IT support assistance to help keep your systems secure from the ground up — including firmware updates and hardening.
- Firmware audit and version control
- Secure BIOS/UEFI configuration
- Patch management and automatic updates
- Device-level threat monitoring and response
📍 We help businesses in Los Angeles, CA and across the U.S. stay protected with layered, firmware-inclusive cybersecurity strategies.
Protect Your Devices from Firmware Threats
Firmware Security: Frequently Asked Questions
What is firmware security?
Firmware security refers to the protection of the low-level software built into hardware devices such as computers, routers, servers, smartphones, and IoT devices. Firmware controls how hardware operates and starts up, making it a critical layer of system security. Firmware security focuses on preventing unauthorized modification, malware infections, and vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to compromise a device before the operating system even loads. Common protections include secure boot, firmware updates, encryption, digital signatures, and hardware-based security features designed to ensure the firmware remains trusted and untampered.
What are the 4 types of security?
The four common types of security in information technology are network security, application security, information security, and endpoint security. Network security protects systems and data traveling across networks using tools like firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. Application security focuses on securing software and applications from vulnerabilities and attacks. Information security protects sensitive data from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss, while endpoint security secures individual devices such as computers, smartphones, and servers through antivirus, encryption, and monitoring tools.
Should I enable firmware protection?
Yes, in most cases you should enable firmware protection because it helps protect your device from low-level security threats that can target hardware before the operating system even loads. Features such as Secure Boot, BIOS or UEFI passwords, TPM security, and firmware integrity protections help prevent unauthorized changes, malware infections, and rootkits that can compromise a system at a deeper level. Firmware protection is especially important for business systems, laptops, servers, and devices that store sensitive information, although compatibility or troubleshooting situations may occasionally require specific features to be adjusted.
What are the risks of firmware?
Firmware can pose significant security risks because it operates at a very low level between hardware and the operating system, making attacks difficult to detect and remove. Vulnerable or outdated firmware can allow attackers to install persistent malware, bypass security controls, steal data, or gain deep access to devices such as computers, routers, servers, and IoT equipment. Firmware attacks can also survive operating system reinstalls in some cases. Additional risks include corrupted firmware updates, compatibility issues, and unpatched vulnerabilities that manufacturers may stop supporting over time, which is why keeping firmware updated and using secure boot protections are important security practices.
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