The open-source firmware community is making a significant push to establish a dedicated track at FOSDEM 2026, one of Europe’s largest free and open-source software conferences. The initiative, spearheaded by 3mdeb, a Poland-based firmware consulting company, signals growing recognition that firmware security and transparency deserve the same attention as traditional software development in the open-source ecosystem.

According to Phoronix, 3mdeb has formally proposed the creation of a firmware-focused developer room at FOSDEM 2026, scheduled to take place in Brussels in February. The proposal reflects mounting concerns about proprietary firmware vulnerabilities and the need for greater collaboration among developers working on open-source alternatives to closed-source BIOS and UEFI implementations that dominate modern computing hardware.

The timing of this initiative coincides with an unprecedented wave of firmware-related security incidents affecting enterprise and consumer systems alike. Recent years have witnessed numerous high-profile vulnerabilities in proprietary firmware, from Intel’s Management Engine flaws to AMD’s Platform Security Processor issues, exposing millions of devices to potential exploitation. These incidents have underscored the critical need for transparent, auditable firmware solutions that can be scrutinized by the security community.

The Growing Urgency of Firmware Transparency

Firmware occupies a unique and powerful position in the computing stack, operating below the operating system level with privileged access to hardware resources. This privileged position makes firmware an attractive target for sophisticated attackers seeking persistent access to systems. Unlike operating system vulnerabilities that can be patched relatively quickly, firmware compromises often require specialized knowledge to detect and remediate, making them particularly dangerous for organizations and individuals alike.

The proposed FOSDEM track would provide a forum for developers working on projects like coreboot, an open-source firmware replacement project that has gained traction among privacy-conscious users and security-focused organizations. Other initiatives that would benefit from dedicated conference space include LinuxBoot, which replaces specific UEFI firmware functionality with a Linux kernel and runtime, and various projects focused on creating open-source alternatives to proprietary embedded controller firmware.

3mdeb’s involvement in this initiative carries particular weight within the firmware development community. The company has established itself as a significant contributor to open-source firmware projects and has worked extensively on porting coreboot to various hardware platforms. Their advocacy for a dedicated FOSDEM track reflects not just commercial interest but a broader recognition that firmware development needs greater visibility and community support to mature as a discipline.

Bridging the Gap Between Hardware and Software Communities

One of the central challenges facing open-source firmware development is the disconnect between traditional software developers and the specialized knowledge required for firmware work. Firmware development demands understanding of low-level hardware initialization, power management, and platform-specific quirks that differ significantly from application or even kernel development. A dedicated FOSDEM track could help bridge this knowledge gap by providing educational sessions and fostering collaboration between hardware and software experts.

The proposed track would likely feature presentations on topics ranging from practical firmware development techniques to discussions of security architectures and trust models for boot firmware. Sessions could cover emerging technologies like measured boot and remote attestation, which allow systems to cryptographically verify firmware integrity before granting access to sensitive resources. These technologies are becoming increasingly important as organizations seek to implement zero-trust security architectures that extend down to the firmware level.

Beyond technical presentations, the track could facilitate discussions about the business and policy implications of firmware transparency. Questions about firmware licensing, vendor cooperation with open-source projects, and regulatory approaches to firmware security affect the entire industry. Having a dedicated forum for these conversations at a prominent conference like FOSDEM could help shape both technical standards and policy frameworks that govern firmware development and deployment.

Commercial Adoption and Enterprise Interest

The push for greater firmware transparency is no longer confined to hobbyists and security researchers. Major technology companies and cloud service providers have begun investing in open-source firmware initiatives, recognizing both the security benefits and the potential for greater hardware optimization. Google has been a notable supporter of coreboot and related projects, using open-source firmware in some of its data center infrastructure and Chromebook devices.

This enterprise interest brings both opportunities and challenges for the open-source firmware community. While corporate involvement can provide crucial resources and accelerate development, it also raises questions about governance, priorities, and ensuring that projects remain truly open and community-driven. A dedicated FOSDEM track could provide neutral ground for discussing these tensions and developing community norms that balance commercial interests with open-source principles.

The potential impact of widespread open-source firmware adoption extends beyond security considerations. Open firmware can enable better hardware longevity by allowing continued support for devices long after manufacturers have ceased providing updates. This has significant environmental implications, as electronic waste continues to grow globally. By making it possible to keep older hardware secure and functional, open-source firmware could contribute to more sustainable computing practices.

Technical Challenges and Development Priorities

Despite growing interest and support, open-source firmware development faces substantial technical hurdles. Modern hardware platforms are increasingly complex, with intricate initialization sequences and dependencies on proprietary binary blobs for certain functionality. Graphics initialization, in particular, often requires vendor-provided code that cannot be easily replaced with open-source alternatives. These technical realities mean that fully open firmware remains challenging to implement on many contemporary platforms.

Documentation availability represents another significant obstacle. Hardware manufacturers often treat detailed platform initialization documentation as confidential, making it difficult for open-source developers to create firmware without reverse engineering or relying on leaked information. Some progress has been made through initiatives like the Open Compute Project, which encourages hardware transparency, but comprehensive documentation remains the exception rather than the rule across the industry.

The proposed FOSDEM track could serve as a venue for coordinating efforts to address these challenges systematically. By bringing together developers working on different aspects of the firmware stack, the track could facilitate the kind of cross-project collaboration necessary to tackle complex problems. Sessions could focus on sharing reverse-engineering techniques, coordinating documentation efforts, and developing common frameworks that reduce duplicated work across projects.

Regulatory Momentum and Policy Considerations

The push for firmware transparency is occurring against a backdrop of increasing regulatory attention to cybersecurity and supply chain security. Government agencies in the United States, European Union, and other jurisdictions are developing requirements for software bills of materials and greater transparency in critical infrastructure components. Firmware, as a fundamental component of system security, is increasingly falling within the scope of these regulatory frameworks.

The European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act, currently being finalized, includes provisions that could affect firmware development and distribution. Similarly, executive orders in the United States have emphasized the importance of securing the software supply chain, with implications for firmware as well. These regulatory developments create both challenges and opportunities for open-source firmware projects, which by their nature provide the transparency that regulators are seeking to mandate.

A dedicated FOSDEM track could help the open-source firmware community engage proactively with these policy developments. Rather than having regulations imposed by policymakers with limited technical understanding, the community could use the platform to educate regulators about technical realities and help shape frameworks that promote security without stifling innovation. This kind of policy engagement has become increasingly important as open-source software has moved from the periphery to the center of critical infrastructure.

Looking Ahead to FOSDEM 2026

The success of 3mdeb’s proposal will depend on demonstrating sufficient community interest and organizational capacity to sustain a dedicated track. FOSDEM organizers evaluate developer room proposals based on factors including the size and activity of the relevant community, the quality of proposed content, and the ability of organizers to manage the track effectively. The firmware community will need to rally support and demonstrate that it can deliver valuable content to conference attendees.

If approved, the firmware track at FOSDEM 2026 would join other specialized developer rooms covering topics from software-defined radio to legal and policy issues in free software. The track would likely attract not only firmware developers but also security researchers, system administrators, and hardware enthusiasts interested in understanding the foundational layers of their computing systems. This cross-pollination of expertise could accelerate innovation and help build the broader community necessary to sustain open-source firmware projects long-term.

The initiative represents more than just another conference track; it symbolizes the maturation of open-source firmware as a distinct discipline within the broader free software movement. As computing continues to evolve with new architectures, security threats, and use cases, the need for transparent, auditable firmware will only grow. Whether through a dedicated FOSDEM track or other community-building efforts, the open-source firmware movement is positioning itself to play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of trustworthy computing.