The recent research highlighted by BlackBerry Ltd. reveals that 75% of embedded software developers globally face immense pressure to compromise on safety to meet tight deadlines, indicating a significant strain on software professionals aiming to balance rapid innovation with imperative safety and security protocols. This study surveyed 1,000 developers and underscored that, while security (54%), cost control (52%), and safety certifications (48%) are critical when choosing an operating system (OS), many respondents are inclined to switch their current OS due to challenges in these areas.
The Challenge of Meeting Safety Standards in a Tight Timeline
Widespread Difficulties with International Safety Standards
A significant portion of developers (61%) report extreme difficulty in adhering to international safety standards with their current OS, mainly due to security concerns (36%) and performance issues (28%). These challenges highlight the balancing act developers face, as they must ensure their software is secure and performs well without compromising necessary safety standards. The pressure to deliver quickly often leads developers to consider alternative OS options that might better meet regulatory requirements without sacrificing functional capabilities.
Open-Source platforms, favored by nearly half of the surveyed developers (44%), offer the benefits of accessibility and widespread familiarity. However, they often lack the rigorous safety certifications that proprietary systems undergo. This difference can result in significant challenges for developers who need to comply with international safety standards. As a result, some developers are increasingly looking toward proprietary systems, which typically offer more robust and thoroughly vetted safety certifications. This choice can help mitigate the risks and challenges associated with compliance while balancing performance and security needs.
The Criticality of Functional Safety and Security
John Wall, SVP and Head of BlackBerry QNX, underscores the vital importance of functional safety (FuSa) and security in the era of ‘Software-Defined Everything,’ where software plays a crucial role in both device and infrastructure operations. Despite the overwhelming recognition of these factors by 90% of organizations, the ongoing pressures of tight deadlines and budget constraints necessitate the use of pre-certified software. Pre-certified solutions can help organizations maintain a balance between rapid innovation and uncompromised safety without continually reinventing the wheel or compromising on crucial safety protocols.
The survey highlights significant gaps in safety certifications, with nearly one-third of respondents having inadequate or partial coverage in their OS. This gap results in project delays for two-thirds of organizations, illustrating the critical need for better-certified solutions. Meeting evolving safety standards is resource-intensive, requiring an average investment of $591,000 and 154 hours per company. These figures demonstrate the extensive time and financial commitment necessary to achieve and maintain compliance with the latest safety standards, further stressing the importance of initial certification and ongoing maintenance.
The Persistent Threat of Security Vulnerabilities
Distinct Security Challenges for Open-Source Systems
Security vulnerabilities pose notable challenges, particularly for Open-Source systems, which are 46% more prone to breaches than proprietary systems, which have a 40% breach rate. This increased susceptibility to breaches highlights the critical need for robust security measures within Open-Source frameworks. Additionally, the study reveals that of those facing security breaches, 72% experienced project delays directly resulting from these vulnerabilities. These breaches and subsequent delays emphasize the importance of integrating strong security measures from the outset of any development project, regardless of the OS used.
Despite this, 73% of organizations prioritize OS security, but the timeframe for implementing security patches averages around five weeks. This delay can substantially impact project timelines, often causing significant setbacks. The lag in applying these patches underscores the complexity and resource demands of maintaining secure systems, especially in environments where rapid development is necessary. OS-related problems have led to missed deadlines for 34% of organizations, with the average global delay reaching one month. These delays further compound the pressures developers face, bridging the gap between security priorities and timely project completion.
The Importance of Secure-by-Design Solutions
In light of these challenges, organizations are increasingly turning to secure-by-design solutions and pre-certified software. This shift allows developers to focus on innovation and functionality without being bogged down by continual safety and security troubleshooting. The insights gathered from the survey provide a comprehensive view of the critical trade-offs developers must navigate. The data highlights the overarching trends shaping decision-making processes in a software-driven world, underscoring the need for reliable, certified solutions that enable rapid yet secure and compliant development.
By adopting secure-by-design frameworks, organizations can proactively address the security and performance challenges that typically arise during later stages of development. This approach not only streamlines the development process but also ensures that security and certification requirements are met from the beginning, thus reducing the likelihood of late-stage hurdles and delays. In a world where the pace of technological advancement shows no signs of slowing, striking the right balance between innovation, safety, and security continues to be an essential priority for developers and organizations alike.
Conclusion
Recent research highlighted by BlackBerry Ltd. shows that 75% of embedded software developers worldwide feel immense pressure to compromise on safety to meet tight deadlines. This situation reveals the significant strain software professionals face as they strive to balance rapid innovation with crucial safety and security protocols. The study surveyed 1,000 developers and revealed some surprising findings. While the importance of security (54%), cost control (52%), and safety certifications (48%) are recognized when choosing an operating system (OS), many developers are still contemplating switching their current OS. The challenges in these critical areas are pushing professionals to seek better options, despite the complexities involved in switching. This trend underscores a broader issue within the industry, where the pressure to innovate quickly and efficiently often clashes with the need to maintain rigorous safety and security standards. The tension between these demands highlights the ongoing difficulties embedded software developers face in today’s fast-paced technological landscape.
