# Trying out ESP32-C3's security features using QEMU

DevFeed: [Trying out ESP32-C3's security features using QEMU](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/trying-out-esp32-c3-s-security-features-using-qemu-13964.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://developer.espressif.com/blog/trying-out-esp32-c3s-security-features-using-qemu/>)

Author: John Lee

Published: 2024-04-04T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Blog on Developer Portal](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-on-developer-portal.md>)

Topics: [ESP32-C3](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/esp32-c3.md>), [ESP32](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/esp32.md>), [qemu](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/qemu.md>), [Security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/security.md>), [Emulator](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/emulator.md>), [Encryption](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/encryption.md>), [boot](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/boot.md>), [configuration](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/configuration.md>), [virtualization](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/virtualization.md>), [RISC-V](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/riscv.md>)

Tags: [blog](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/blog.md>), [boot](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/boot.md>), [configuration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/configuration.md>), [digital-signature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/digital-signature.md>), [emulator](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/emulator.md>), [esp-idf](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/esp-idf.md>), [esp32](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/esp32.md>), [esp32-c3](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/esp32-c3.md>), [espressif](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/espressif.md>), [flash-encryption](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/flash-encryption.md>), [iot](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/iot.md>), [latest-release](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/latest-release.md>), [qemu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/qemu.md>), [releases-section](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/releases-section.md>), [risc-v](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/risc-v.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>)

## AI overview

This article explains how to exercise ESP32-C3 security features under QEMU before deploying them to real hardware. It describes the risks of irreversible eFuse programming, QEMU's ESP32-C3 system emulation and firmware compatibility, and workflows for testing security configurations.

## Source excerpt

Overview# ESP32 series of SoCs supports multiple security features like trusted boot, flash encryption, secure storage etc. There are also dedicated peripherals to support use-cases like HMAC and digital signature. For most of these features the eFuse storage in the ESP32-C3 is responsible for storing the private keys and also the configuration bits. eFuse memory is one time programmable and hence care must be taken whilst enabling the security features.