State of Open Con 2023

Computer hardware, especially embedded computing hardware is becoming ever more prevalent in a our daily lives with the advent of IOT and AI/edge devices.

From smart fridges to cars and industrial automation, security, reliability and supply chain concerns raise serous questions about our ability to maintain the critical hardware in our lives.

Security - is the device vulnerable to attack? Can we verify if a device has been modified or tampered with?

Repairability - can the device be repaired? How difficult or time consuming is the repair?

Cost - is it economical to maintain the device? Are there exclusivity agreements with OEMs preventing end users from buying parts directly?

Transparency - What is the device truly capable of? Is the device being artificially limited for the sake of market segmentation?

This talk aims to highlight current industry practices by exploring various products and their manufacturers approach in regards to these ideals.