The security of modern infrastructure depends as much on the trustworthiness of hardware as it does on software. While software has adopted tools like the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to catalog code dependencies, hardware has lagged. In an era of globalized manufacturing, where chips and components pass through dozens of suppliers and countries, visibility into what goes into hardware is increasingly critical. A concept gaining traction is the Hardware Bill of Materials (HBOM), a framework for cataloging components, suppliers, and risks at the physical layer. Erik Hosler, a strategist in microelectronics resilience, underscores that infrastructure security depends on knowing what’s inside the hardware as much as the software. His perspective captures the urgency of bringing transparency to the physical backbone of digital systems.
HBOM represents a paradigm shift in how hardware is trusted and verified. By providing detailed inventories of components in servers, chips, and devices, HBOM could reduce the risk of hidden vulnerabilities, counterfeit parts, or malicious modifications. For industries ranging from defense to healthcare, this transparency framework could become as indispensable as SBOM is for software. The challenge is turning this vision into a practical, scalable reality that balances transparency with proprietary protections.
Why Transparency Matters at the Hardware Layer
Hardware vulnerabilities are notoriously difficult to detect and even harder to fix. Unlike software, which can be patched after deployment, hardware flaws often persist for a system’s lifetime. Attacks exploiting hardware backdoors or supply chain compromises bypass even the most sophisticated cybersecurity measures.
Examples of such risks are not theoretical. Counterfeit chips have appeared in defense systems, and unverified components have raised alarms in telecommunications infrastructure. These incidents underscore the need for transparency in the hardware layer. Without clear visibility into what components are included in a system and where they originate, organizations cannot fully trust the infrastructure on which they depend.
HBOM offers a way to address this gap. Creating a structured inventory of hardware components allows organizations to identify vulnerabilities, verify authenticity, and respond more effectively to threats.
The Concept of an HBOM
The idea of HBOM mirrors the approach taken in software with SBOM. Just as SBOM provides a catalog of libraries, dependencies, and versions used in software applications, HBOM would provide a list of every component in a hardware product, from microchips to sensors to power systems. At its core, HBOM would include:
- Component details, such as model numbers and specifications.
- Supplier information, tracing origins through the supply chain.
- Version tracking, ensuring that updates or modifications are documented.
- Verification records, including test results and certifications.
This level of visibility would strengthen security and improve resilience. For example, if a vulnerability is discovered in a particular component, organizations could use HBOM records to quickly identify where it is deployed and take corrective action.
Applications for Critical Infrastructure
The potential applications of HBOM are particularly clear in critical infrastructure sectors. Defense systems require trusted microelectronics to ensure that mission-critical platforms are not compromised. Financial networks rely on servers and hardware that must operate securely under constant cyber pressure. Healthcare devices, from imaging systems to pacemakers, demand absolute trust in their hardware components.
HBOM could provide a new baseline of trust in each of these sectors. By requiring suppliers to provide detailed bills of materials, governments and corporations could create certification frameworks for hardware like those already emerging in software. It would not only reduce risks but also create market incentives for suppliers to adhere to higher security standards.
The implications extend to global supply chains. As more nations recognize the importance of hardware transparency, HBOM could become a standard requirement for participation in sensitive markets. It would elevate trust while reducing opportunities for counterfeit or malicious components to infiltrate systems.
Challenges to Implementation
Despite its promise, implementing HBOM presents significant challenges. Supply chains for hardware are vast and complex, involving thousands of suppliers across multiple countries. Tracking every component in a verifiable way requires significant coordination and investment.
Intellectual property concerns also complicate the picture. Suppliers may be reluctant to disclose detailed component information, fearing that transparency could expose trade secrets. Balancing transparency with the protection of proprietary designs will be a critical issue for policymakers and industry leaders to resolve.
Verification adds another layer of difficulty. Simply documenting components is not enough; mechanisms must exist to confirm that the parts listed are actually present and unaltered. It could involve cryptographic tagging, blockchain-based records, or third-party auditing. Each approach comes with its own costs and operational challenges.
Building a Framework for Trust
To overcome these challenges, HBOM must be developed as a flexible, scalable framework. Governments, industry consortia, and standards bodies will need to collaborate to establish baseline requirements and verification methods. International cooperation will also be critical, given the global nature of supply chains.
Erik Hosler explains, “Patterning techniques developed for advanced EUV… might be needed in a photon-based quantum computer.” His observation, while describing lithography, reflects a broader principle. Just as precision and verification in EUV patterning are essential for building reliable chips, precision in cataloging and verifying hardware components will be essential for building trust in infrastructure. HBOM represents the same kind of discipline applied to the supply chain: meticulous, standardized, and scalable.
Pilot programs could begin in critical sectors such as defense and finance, where the stakes are highest. Over time, adoption could expand to consumer markets, making HBOM as common as safety certifications in other industries. The goal is not to eliminate risk but to create a framework where risks can be identified, managed, and minimized.
From Visibility to Security
The future of infrastructure security will be defined not only by how systems are defended but also by how they are trusted. HBOM provides a way to bring transparency to the hardware layer, ensuring that organizations know what their systems are made of and where those components come from.
This visibility transforms security from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for vulnerabilities to be discovered in the field, organizations can trace and address risks through structured inventories. HBOM also creates incentives for suppliers to meet higher standards, raising the overall level of trust in global hardware supply chains.
For the U.S. and its allies, adopting HBOM would strengthen both economic and national security. By embedding transparency into the foundation of digital infrastructure, they can reduce vulnerabilities and build resilience. Moving from visibility to security through HBOM may prove to be one of the most important steps in securing the future of advanced computing.
