End-to-End Server Security with HPE iLO 7

From chip to cloud, HPE ProLiant iLO 7 features many security innovations. Presented by Cole Humphreys, Server Security Product Manager, and Luis Luciano, Distinguished Technologist.

During this deep dive session, HPE outlined its comprehensive security approach to server infrastructure, emphasizing that cybersecurity threats are pervasive and increasingly targeting hardware vulnerabilities. HPE identified rising ransomware threats, the growing potential impact of AI in cyberattacks, and the huge financial losses associated with data breaches—especially profound for small and mid-sized businesses. As part of HPE’s Secure by Design strategy, ProLiant servers are architected to provide end-to-end security beginning in the supply chain, through server production, and into operational environments. This includes adherence to a secure development lifecycle, global operational support, and ongoing collaboration with industry standard and compliance frameworks like NIST, FIPS, PCI DSS, and HIPAA.

A central component of this security framework is the iLO 7 management chip, which introduces advanced capabilities such as Silicon Root of Trust (SROT) and a new secure enclave. The iLO 7 chip validates server components before booting, ensuring only authenticated firmware and hardware are allowed to operate. By embedding immutable firmware directly bound to silicon and incorporating new standards like post-quantum cryptography (PQC) compliance, HPE asserts its systems remain secure even against future quantum computing threats. The secure enclave also provides on-chip, level 3 FIPS-compliant key management with support for Safe Erase and backup to external HSMs like those from Talos, allowing customers to store encryption keys in a hardened environment without sacrificing accessibility. Moreover, HPE’s use of SPDM (Security Protocol and Data Model) enables attestation and validation of third-party hardware components such as GPUs, enhancing the zero trust model across external devices and integrations.

HPE also highlighted the centralized security dashboards available through Compute Ops Management (COM), enabling organizations to gain real-time visibility into server health and security posture across large fleets. Moreover, HPE discussed compliance best practices involving log sanitization for regulatory regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, and its approach to TLS certificate management in alignment with modern browser requirements. Beyond firmware and component-level concerns, the conversation expanded to the implications of managing security for peripheral systems like liquid cooling in high-performance environments and how security standards must adapt to interconnected dependencies. The session concluded by emphasizing HPE’s differentiation in the market due to its proprietary silicon, holistic secure development lifecycle, and forward-compatible security features, along with anecdotal examples of how their architecture shielded customers from industry-wide vulnerabilities impacting competitors.