Explore firmware security in this 45-minute conference talk from linux.conf.au. Delve into the importance of firmware security and its impact on overall system security. Learn about recent vulnerabilities in system management mode, firmware-level hardware initialization scripts, and management engine compromises. Discover the latest advancements in firmware security research and their applications to projects like Coreboot and Libreboot. Gain insights into balancing security with the freedom to run desired software on your system. Understand the attack surface for firmware, vulnerability mitigation strategies, and the significance of firmware updates. Examine options for compatibility and advanced users in improving firmware security.