Secure Coding for Embedded Systems

Hands-On Workshop for C and C++ Developers

Introduction

Embedded systems are everywhere—from industrial automation and healthcare equipment to smart vehicles and consumer electronics. As these systems become more connected, the demand for secure and reliable code has never been higher. At the same time, many of these devices still rely heavily on C and C++—languages known for their power and efficiency, but also for the complexity and security risks they introduce.

In this environment, writing secure embedded code isn’t just a good practice—it’s a necessity. Unfortunately, most embedded developers have limited exposure to secure coding techniques, particularly in the context of real-world device constraints and attack scenarios.

That’s exactly what this workshop is designed to address. It’s a deep, hands-on training program that goes beyond theory to equip your engineering team with practical skills they can apply immediately.

Why Secure Coding in Embedded Systems Matters

Embedded software often runs in safety- or mission-critical environments. In many cases, it controls hardware directly, runs unattended for years, and can’t be patched easily once deployed. That means any security flaw introduced during development can have long-lasting and wide-reaching consequences.

Unlike higher-level languages, C and C++ don’t offer memory safety by default. Developers must manage memory manually, avoid undefined behavior, and take extra care when working with I/O, buffers, and concurrency.

Common issues like buffer overflows, dangling pointers, or off-by-one errors may seem minor in a test lab—but in production, they can lead to system crashes, remote code execution, or worse. Our goal with this workshop is to help developers recognize these risks early and learn how to prevent them with secure design and coding practices.

Who This Workshop Is For

This training is built specifically for:

1. Embedded systems engineers and firmware developers
2. C/C++ programmers working on bare-metal or RTOS environments
3. Developers building safety-critical or connected products
4. QA engineers who review low-level code
5. Product leads looking to reduce technical security debt

If your team writes C or C++ for devices that ship into the real world, this training is for you.

Workshop Objectives

By the end of this workshop, your team will be able to:

1. Spot common code patterns that introduce serious vulnerabilities
2. Understand how attackers target memory, logic, and timing flaws
3. Write safer, more defensive C/C++ code for embedded systems
4. Use toolchain features and coding standards to harden code by default
5. Integrate security checks into your existing review and testing processes

What We Cover

This workshop is practical and hands-on from the start. We don’t dwell on long slide decks. Instead, we use live examples, guided labs, and real C/C++ code exercises that reflect the kinds of issues your developers actually face.

Part 1: Foundations of Secure Embedded Coding

1. Understanding how memory layout affects safety and security
2. Common causes of vulnerabilities in C/C++
3. How compilers, linkers, and toolchains impact code security

Part 2: Common Embedded Vulnerabilities in Focus

1. Buffer overflows (stack and heap)
2. Integer overflows and truncation bugs
3. Use-after-free and double-free issues
4. Off-by-one and boundary errors
5. Format string vulnerabilities
6. Race conditions and timing issues
7. Insecure use of standard library functions (strcpy, sprintf, etc.)

Part 3: Defensive Programming Techniques

1. Replacing unsafe functions with safer alternatives
2. Input validation and error-handling best practices
3. Secure use of memory management in constrained environments
4. Control flow integrity
5. Using compiler flags and runtime tools to prevent common flaws
6. Applying static analysis and code linting effectively

Part 4: Securing the Toolchain and Build Process

1. Using compiler hardening options like -fstack-protector and FORTIFY_SOURCE
2. Basics of secure boot and firmware integrity checks
3. Preventing code reuse attacks like ROP (Return-Oriented Programming)
4. Leveraging ASan, UBSan, and memory debugging tools in embedded environments

Hands-On Labs

Each concept is backed by carefully designed labs. Participants get hands-on time with:

1. Simulated vulnerable embedded applications
2. Step-by-step exploitation walkthroughs using GDB and objdump
3. Fixing real bugs in code and re-testing for correctness and safety
4. Applying secure code patterns to existing or legacy code bases
5. Using tools and flags to analyze and prevent vulnerabilities during build time

These labs help bridge the gap between security theory and real-world embedded coding challenges.

Customization Based on Your Stack

No two embedded teams work the same way. That’s why we adapt every workshop to your development environment. We tailor the sessions based on:

1. Your architecture (e.g., ARM Cortex-M, AVR, RISC-V)
2. Your compiler and toolchain (GCC, IAR, Keil, Clang)
3. Your OS or runtime (bare metal, FreeRTOS, Linux, etc.)
4. Your industry’s compliance needs (IEC 62443, ISO 26262, etc.)

Whether you build medical devices or industrial controllers, we speak your team’s language.

What Your Team Will Gain

After this workshop, your developers will:

1. Recognize and prevent common embedded coding mistakes
2. Understand how real attackers exploit flaws in embedded software
3. Write more robust and secure code in C and C++
4. Use the toolchain more effectively to defend against low-level bugs
5. Be better prepared to contribute to secure architecture and reviews

Workshop Format

Conclusion

Security in embedded systems begins with secure coding practices. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about building devices that can be trusted, maintained, and safely deployed in the real world.

At QuadraLogics, we’ve helped teams across industries upskill their embedded developers with practical security knowledge that stays relevant. If you’re looking to invest in your team’s capabilities—and reduce long-term security risk—this hands-on C/C++ workshop is a strong first step.

Get in touch to schedule a private session: info@quadralogics.com
Learn more at www.quadralogics.com

Build secure embedded code from the ground up. One line, one device, one release at a time.