Reverse engineering of embedded consumer electronic systems

Cutting edge consumer electronics systems typically rely upon embedded processors and software for a large part of their competitive features. Developing such features is, in turn, a costly part of the design exercise that is usually recouped through initial high-price sales. If competitors are able to reduce their own development costs, and cut time-to-market through the reverse engineering of the pioneering products, such practices will distort the market and stifle forward progress. Unfortunately, reverse engineering of consumer products for nefarious purposes appears to be commonplace, with significant cost implications on industry sales and profitability. This paper discusses the scope of the reverse engineering problem for consumer electronics reliant upon embedded processors, formalises the process of reverse engineering, and classifies potential mitigation strategies.