01
Chip-off and in-circuit access
Direct component and board-level acquisition where normal software routes cannot provide the required access or evidence.
Device hardware security
Turn restricted hardware into a testable system.
Hands-on security testing for embedded, automotive and connected devices. Rootworks extracts and analyses firmware, verifies boot and debug controls, and builds the modifications and custom test harnesses needed for repeatable assessment.
ExtractChip-off, in-circuit, eMMC and UFS acquisition
EnableEngineering access, debug features and instrumentation
HarnessPurpose-built access, control and repeatability
Below the software boundary
When meaningful testing needs access the product does not provide.
Production devices are designed to conceal their internal state, not expose it to an attacker. Useful security evidence may depend on recovering firmware, understanding storage, validating the boot chain or reaching interfaces that were disabled before release.
Rootworks works directly with the device to establish that access, then creates a controlled environment in which findings can be investigated and reproduced.
Hardware assessment capabilities
From physical access to firmware evidence
Each engagement combines the techniques needed to answer the product-security question, rather than stopping at the interfaces exposed by default.
02
eMMC and UFS acquisition
Identify storage devices and recover firmware, partitions and supporting data for preservation and deeper analysis.
03
Secure boot verification
Examine boot integrity, trust decisions and enforcement behaviour to determine whether unauthorised code can execute.
04
Engineering and debug access
Identify JTAG and other engineering paths, then verify how effectively production devices restrict privileged access.
05
Firmware extraction and analysis
Unpack and examine recovered firmware to understand exposed services, security controls, secrets and attack paths.
06
Controlled device modification
Re-enable engineering features or introduce purpose-built test functionality to support a deeper, evidence-led assessment.
Test enablement
Make the device observable, controllable and repeatable.
A production unit is not always a useful security test target. Rootworks can re-enable engineering functionality, add controlled instrumentation and modify the device so its behaviour can be observed without losing sight of the original production configuration.
The result is a practical research environment for investigating attack paths, validating controls and reproducing findings with stronger evidence.
TARGET
Device under test
Production behaviour retained
ENABLE
Custom harness
Access · control · instrumentation
TEST
Security analysis
Observe · reproduce · validate
Custom test harness engineering
Build the access that effective testing requires.
Standard laboratory equipment rarely connects cleanly to a finished product. Rootworks designs and builds test harnesses around the device under test, exposing the signals and controls needed for safe, repeatable investigation.
Physical access
Break out and organise the interfaces required for firmware acquisition, debug access and device instrumentation.
Control and repeatability
Provide consistent power, state control and connection paths so tests can be repeated without fragile manual setup.
Measurement and validation
Connect the device to the tools, instrumentation and workflows needed to capture evidence and verify results.
Purpose-built test features
Add controlled functionality where necessary to support deeper investigation, regression checks or automation.
Engagement workflow
A route from sealed device to defensible result
The sequence adapts to the product and assurance goal, while keeping modifications, evidence and conclusions traceable.
- 01Acquire
Map the hardware, storage and available interfaces.
- 02Enable
Establish or restore the engineering access needed for testing.
- 03Instrument
Add controlled visibility into device state and behaviour.
- 04Harness
Build a stable, repeatable connection around the target.
- 05Analyse
Investigate firmware, controls and credible attack paths.
- 06Validate
Reproduce findings and provide evidence-led remediation.
Useful engineering evidence
Understand what was reached, what was changed and what it means.
Documented acquisition, modification and test methods
Recovered firmware and analysis relevant to the agreed scope
Reproducible evidence for confirmed security findings
Practical remediation and further-test recommendations
Start with the device
Tell us what you need to reach, recover or verify.
Share the device, available documentation and the security questions your team needs answered. Rootworks will propose a practical route into the hardware and a clear next step.