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What is firmware?įirmware is low-level software found in a server's read-only memory, also known as flash ROM. Firmware vulnerabilities have also increased five-fold over the last few years, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s National Vulnerability Database.Ĭouple these harrowing stats with the fact that firmware threats are notoriously difficult to detect due to their low platform level, not to mention that hackers can exploit firmware to bypass antivirus software, and you’ve got a recipe for security-related disaster, if adequate firmware security precautions aren’t implemented, that is.įor servers and workstations using Xeon processors, Intel addresses firmware security concerns with its Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR) technology, which aims to prevent firmware interception and corruption primarily in mission-critical sectors, such as government, finance and critical infrastructure.īefore we get into what exactly this technology does, however, it's important to have a firm - yes, we said it - understanding of firmware and why firmware security is important.
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How does PFR protect server firmware from an attack?.What is Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR)?.Graphic: Intel's Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR) technology is one of several ways that you can protect your server or workstation at the firmware level.
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