Hal Aldridge, Trusted Computing and Security for Embedded Systems

Computer hardware and software that perform real-world functions such as flight control, telecommunications switching, and network routing form a class of systems called embedded systems. These embedded systems have challenges that differ from general purpose computing. The security challenges of embedded systems have become a topic of concern in critical infrastructure such as SmartGrid. This presentation will discuss the embedded systems security challenges and a possible solution, Trusted Computing. Trusted Computing provides a tight coupling of hardware and software for security which can provide significant security enhancements over software only solutions and is highly applicable to embedded systems. About the speaker: Hal Aldridge is Director of Engineering at Sypris Electronics in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Aldridge has lead Cybersecurity Research and Development efforts at Sypris Electronics since joining in 2008. Prior to joining Sypris, Dr. Aldridge lead development of unmanned systems for space and security applications at Northrop Grumman and NASA. Dr. Aldridge is active with advanced cybersecurity research at organizations including Purdue University CERIAS and Carnegie Mellon University CyLab. Dr. Aldridge has a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University specializing in fault tolerant robotic control systems for space applications. Dr. Aldridge's research interests include trusted computing, secure cyber-physical systems, and fault tolerant systems.