firmware update

You provided no details. What firmware? Why do you need a firmware update?

What HDD? Internal or external and what is the make & model?

What is the exact model of your Mac? You can get the exact model by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac", or if the Mac is unable to boot macOS, then enter the system serial number here:

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support

You should also review this article on how to post a question since many contributors may overlook a post with no details (we are after all other normal users volunteering our free time to help here):

Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple Community

As you can see contributors are already making multiple guesses about what you mean.

If you wanting to create a bootable external HDD (spinning platter) its performance is going to be rather poor. The fastest HDDs will be far slower than an SSD.

If you do want an external boot drive, the practical choice is an SSD ... Solid Stare Drive.

HWTech wrote:

As you can see contributors are already making multiple guesses about what you mean.

Right guesses 👍

Though, based upon the wording by OP and experience on such matters, they would be reasonable and measured Guesses IMHO

Let us ( collectively us ) await for additional information by OP

Firmwareupdates wrote:

I need firmware updated and ventura installed on my new hdd

Would suggest the user check with the Manufacture of the Third Party and After Market Drive for this Firmware update

Though, using a Third Party NON Apple Original Drive to install Ventura onto may also present a similar Error Message

From what I have seen, there is an EFI Boot ROM contained within the Ventura Installer

It will verify if the destination drive ( new hdd ) is Apple Original Drive.

If not - it may refuse to Install Ventura and may offer up an Error Message consistent with this computer issue