Systems and methods for automatic boot to authenticated external device

Abstract

An information handling system may include a processor, an external port communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to receive an external information handling resource and couple the external information handling resource to the processor, and a basic input/output system comprising a program of instructions executable by the processor. The program of instructions may be configured to cause the processor to: (i) determine if the external information handling resource coupled via the external port has a signed payload manifest stored thereon, the signed payload manifest comprising information regarding files of a bootable payload stored on the external information handling resource; (ii) if the external information handling resource has a signed payload manifest stored thereon, attempt to authenticate the signed payload manifest; (iii) if the signed payload manifest is authenticated, attempt to verify the files of the bootable payload based on the information with the signed payload manifest regarding files of the bootable payload; (iv) if the files of the bootable payload are verified, attempt to verify a bootable image of the bootable payload; and (v) if the bootable image is verified, cause the information handling system to boot from the bootable payload.