This publication brings together leading perspectives from academia and industry on one of the most relevant challenges in embedded systems engineering today: the integration of open source software into environments that must meet stringent functional safety and cybersecurity requirements. You can access it here.
Embedded Linux has long been an established foundation for secure systems. At the same time, evolving regulatory frameworks and increasing system complexity are driving its adoption into domains where safety considerations are critical. This shift requires not only technical adaptation but also a fundamental rethinking of development processes, architectures, and assurance strategies.
While the concept of “Safe Linux” has often been viewed with skepticism due to technical constraints, recent architectural approaches demonstrate that robust and certifiable solutions are achievable. The contributions in this volume highlight these advances and provide concrete examples of how safety and security requirements can be addressed in modern embedded systems using open source technologies.
The book presents state-of-the-art solutions aligned with established development methodologies, including the V-model, and examines the broader impact of current geopolitical and regulatory developments on embedded software engineering.
With contributions from leading experts in academia and corporate R&D, this volume provides a comprehensive and nuanced overview of the current state of the art. The book is aimed at decision-makers, system architects, and engineers looking to navigate the evolving landscape of safe and secure embedded systems.
And one more thing to look forward to: the eLSA community is already preparing for the next chapter. Mark your calendars for October 1–2, 2026 — the eLSA Symposium 2026 will take place in Göttingen, with a focused theme and topics that directly build on the questions raised in this book regarding Embedded Linux:
- Functional safety
- Cybersecurity in context of CRA
- Lifecycle management
- CRITIS sector
Be part of the 2nd Symposium as speaker or guest.
