What are some common challenges faced by embedded reverse engineers when analyzing proprietary firmware?

One of the main challenges Embedded Reverse Engineers face is dealing with limited or undocumented information about proprietary firmware and hardware. Often, engineers must reconstruct data structures, protocols, and hardware interactions from binary code alone, which can be time-consuming and complex. Additionally, encountering obfuscated code, custom encryption, or anti-tamper mechanisms is common, requiring creative problem-solving and persistence. Collaboration with hardware designers or embedded developers can help overcome some obstacles, but much of the work relies on strong analytical skills and the effective use of specialized tools.