Firmware is found in devices such as televisions, washing machines, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and routers. PCs are also equipped with firmware. Various ‘types’ of firmware, such as BIOS or UEFI, are located on the PC’s motherboard. For these more complex devices (such as PCs), firmware contains only the device’s basic functions. It communicates with higher-level software used by the consumer. Firmware acts as the complete operating system for less complex devices, including IoT devices.
Firmware updates
A firmware update is crucial for the device to function properly. When changes are made to the software to introduce new features for the end user, the device must be able to download these updates.
Suppliers regularly make firmware updates available. This may be done, for example, to fix programming errors (‘bugs’) or to add extra features. A firmware update for a router can, amongst other things, improve network performance.
The necessity of these updates
As mentioned above, firmware updates are essential. The main reason for this is cybersecurity. Like any other software, firmware can be vulnerable and thus pose a cyber risk. Hackers can, for example, gain access to firmware by bypassing traditional security measures. This can result in these hackers gaining access rights and taking full control of the system. A robust process for updating firmware must therefore be a key pillar of any cybersecurity strategy.
