Society thrives on an ever increasing use of technology. Electronics are embedded into nearly everything we touch. Hardware products are being relied on for security-related applications and are inherently trusted, though many are completely susceptible to compromise with simple classes of attacks that have been known for decades.
Bolstered by the flourishing hobbyist electronics/do-it-yourself movement, easy access to equipment, and realtime information sharing courtesy of the internet, hardware is an area of computer security that can no longer be overlooked.