While working on a 6G telecom embedded system, safeguarding against vulnerabilities involved leveraging hardware and software defenses. Using a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for secure boot establishes a hardware root of trust, ensuring firmware integrity. Side-channel attack risks are mitigated through noise injection and constant-time algorithms, preventing data leakage. Memory Protection Units (MPUs) isolate critical tasks in secure memory regions, blocking unauthorized access. Over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates are encrypted and authenticated, with version control to avoid rollback attacks. Additionally, real-time hardware-based intrusion detection systems monitor for abnormal behavior, enabling early threat detection.

Imagine building a fortress where every brick and lock is carefully placed to keep invaders out. From my cybersecurity thinking, I will embed security into every layer of the system from the start. anticipating threats, writing secure code, and keeping everything updated. It's about staying one step ahead to ensure our devices remain safe, trustworthy and compliant.

I think, to a certain extent, one should have done enough research with their chipset to counter 'product stagnation'. What I mean is when your design is ready, it should be forward compatible - all the chip parts plus the coding necessary and the chip clocking as well. The adverse experience is having a system that only works with one configuration. 'Toy-ing' with a broad spectrum of user conditions during a system test phase allows one to determine possible use cases for future advancements and this must be documented to keep the window for upgrade always open.

From my experience with the GreenMate project, safeguarding embedded systems against vulnerabilities mostly involves ensuring secure communication protocols like TLS/SSL (aka https), regular firmware updates (make sure the hardware is running during update). GreenMate, built with the ESP32S3 and integrated with ThingSpeak, connects exclusively through the cloud using TLS/SSL, significantly reducing the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks.

I think, comprehensive strategy is essential to protect embedded systems from vulnerabilities. 1. Security by Design: Integrate security features in the earliest design process, including encrypted communication, secure boot, and hardware-based security modules. 2. Consistent Firmware upgrades: Guarantee periodic upgrades to rectify known vulnerabilities and safeguard against emerging threats. 3. Access Control: Enforce stringent authentication and authorisation protocols to avert unauthorised system access. 4. Reduced Attack Surface: Activate just essential capabilities to diminish potential access points for intruders. Also Real-time Surveillance is helpful.