In this interview with Robert Bigman, Former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the CIA and a current advisory board member at Sepio, we explore the growing risks of hardware-based attacks and why organizations must take them seriously. Hosted by Jessie Amado, Head of Cyber Research at Sepio, this discussion covers some of the most pressing cybersecurity challenges, including:
- The rising threat of hardware-based attacks and why they often go undetected.
- Challenges of NDAA Section 889 compliance and its impact on supply chain security.
- The importance of asset visibility in protecting against rogue hardware threats.
- Real-world cybersecurity insights from Robert Bigman’s experience at the CIA.
What Are Hardware-Based Attacks?
Unlike traditional cyberattacks that target software vulnerabilities, hardware-based attacks exploit weaknesses in physical devices, firmware, and supply chains. Threat actors manipulate or implant rogue hardware components, enabling them to bypass conventional security controls. These attacks are particularly dangerous because they are difficult to detect and can have devastating consequences.
Common methods include:
- Malicious implants hidden in devices during manufacturing or supply chain distribution.
- Tampered firmware that introduces backdoors for persistent access.
- Cloned hardware that mimics legitimate devices but is embedded with malicious components.
Why Watch This Interview with Robert Bigman?
Cybersecurity is no longer just about software vulnerabilities, hardware security risks present new and evolving challenges. In this interview with Robert Bigman, you’ll gain valuable insights into how adversaries exploit hardware weaknesses and what organizations can do to strengthen their security posture.
With NDAA Section 889 regulations shaping procurement decisions, understanding the impact of supply chain security has never been more important. Bigman and Amado discuss why enterprises need complete asset visibility to detect unauthorized modifications and prevent compromised devices from entering their networks.
How to Protect Against Hardware-Based Attacks
To mitigate the risks of hardware-based attacks, organizations should:
- Implement real-time asset visibility to detect unauthorized hardware.
- Enforce strict supply chain security measures to verify device authenticity.
- Regularly audit connected devices for anomalous behavior and firmware integrity.
- Deploy solutions that analyze physical layer data for accurate device identification.
Don’t miss this exclusive interview with Robert Bigman, where he shares expert knowledge on hardware-based attacks, CIA cybersecurity strategies, and the future of enterprise security.
