awk, trusted computing was a hot topic at RSA according to a gov't contact of mine from the September Orlando conference. He particularly noted that major software security vendors like McAfee are finally getting on board. This is easily the most encouraging thing I've learned from RSA since it means the forces behind the paradigm shift to hardware based security are now meeting far less resistance from incumbents.
For example, Stuart McClure, McAfee CTO, gave a keynote speech at RSA which my contact described as being clearly consistent with TCG objectives, unlike Dave DeWalt's speech at the NSA event in Orlando where TPMs were never even mentioned. Of particular interest to anti-virus vendors are the new Windows 8 drivers that will be used to activate their programs (in their intended state) once they receive verification of a trusted boot from the TPM (Early Launch Anti-Malware software or ELAM). Like Microsoft, the incumbent software security vendors are finally opening up to TC and learning how they can play a constructive and profitable role.
All in all my contact was very upbeat over Microsoft’s commitment to TC and all the hardware security features they’re incorporating into Windows 8. He made it clear he feels Microsoft’s move to TC and utilization of the TPM has become a major factor in not only moving the IT industry forward but also the government. Based on his comments and past comments from SKS, it’s very apparent that until now MS had been the principal missing link in the evolution of TC, as many of us have long suspected.
More notes from our conversation yesterday:
*Trusted smartphones should be deployed “within the next 18mos, possibly sooner.” My contact was impressed with the recently demonstrated capability of the smartphone with Trusted Logic and Wave to authenticate to a laptop and felt this would be a boon to DoD, since by consolidating capabilities in the smartphone, it would reduce/eliminate the need and cost for CACs.
* The final version of NIST 800-155 should be done this month.
* The pilots are “going very well,” and he still expects them to be completed this spring.
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