Ann Steffora Mutschler

Key Takeaways: Hardware security can no longer be treated as a bolt-on feature because attacks now span chips, software stacks, networks, firmware, FPGAs, and connected systems. Regulations such as the CRA are raising awareness and forcing investment, and certification does not necessarily prove a product is truly secure.

Key Takeaways: The push toward 1-megawatt racks is forcing fundamental changes in data center architecture, including cooling, power delivery, rack design, and 3D-IC packaging. Higher rack densities may not be the only viable scaling path, as optics, distributed compute, and more specialized silicon could reduce the need for extreme centralized power density.

Key Takeaways: Chip security must be designed in from the start, with clear requirements that connect architecture, verification, software, manufacturing, and field deployment. AI is expanding both the scale and accessibility of attacks, making hardware-level vulnerabilities harder to anticipate, patch, and contain. Regulations, customer expectations, and lifecycle risks are turning semiconductor security from a technical feature into a business-critical requirement.