To operate the Cobra software-hardware system, a safe environment without the typical vulnerabilities is required, including vulnerabilities about which information can be found in open source materials. A study of computer software and hardware (including a study of BIOS system software) must be run, in order to ensure the absence of hardware and software mechanisms which are incompatible with Cobra and would therefore lead to computer or Cobra system malfunction, or compromise the security of the data/information being protected. The volume and depth of the system’s research is determined by how secret (confidential) the information under protection is, the intruder model adopted, and the seriousness of the threat to confidentiality, as described in the corresponding requirements. The body of the workstation on which Cobra is installed must be protected from meddling and/or unauthorized access to its internal components.