Embedded Platform Patterns for Distributed and Secure Logging

Abstract: With the advent of modern embedded systems, logging as a process is becoming more and more prevalent for diagnostic and analytic services. Traditionally, storage and managing of the logged data are generally kept as a part of one entity together with the main logic components. In systems that implement network connections, this activity is usually handled over a remote device. However, enabling remote connection is still considered a limiting factor for many embedded devices due to the demanding production cost. A significant challenge is presented to vendors who need to decide how the data will be extracted and handled for an embedded platform during the design concept phase. It is generally desirable that logging memory modules are able to be addressed as separate units. These devices need to be appropriately secured and verifiable on a different system since data compromise can lead to enormous privacy and even financial losses. In this paper, we present two patterns. First, a pattern that allows flexible logging operation design in terms of module and interface responsibility separation. Second, a pattern for the design of secure logging processes during the utilization of constrained embedded devices. The introduced patterns fulfil the following conditions: (i) flexibility, design is independent of the chip vendors making the logging memory modules easily replaceable, (ii) self-sufficiency, every logging controller is maintained as a separate entity in a decentralized topology, (iii) security, through providing authenticity, confidentiality, and integrity by means of using a dedicated security module.