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This week, Intel announced it plans to acquire McAfee, the company known for its antivirus software and other security tools. Both companies are members of the Trusted Computing Group, which focuses on security standards that computing companies can use to enable more secure data, systems and networks.
For years, TCG has advocated the benefits of security in hardware. In stories about the Intel/McAfee deal, it was interesting to see how strongly Intel is reiterating that position, with Intel CEO Paul Otellini noting in various articles and at an announcement press conference, "We believe security is most effective when enabled in hardware."
TCG created the Trusted Platform Module specification to do just that. Whether embodied in a dedicated chip or integrated into a chip set or elsewhere on the board,the TPM creates a hardware-based root of trust for the system. It creates a protected, secure vault where certificates, keys and passwords are stored, and it enables strong authentication on its own and in conjunction with smart cards, biometrics and software applications. It evaluates the platform and ensures that no changes, such as malware or root kits, have been added since the last boot, and it does this before connection to the network.
TPMs also facilitate key management and escrow for verifying the identity of a PC; can securely sign, encrypt, and decrypt e-mails and digital documents; and manage full-drive encryption.
Many ask, why isn't the TPM more widely used? Well, it IS used. Today, hundreds of millions of PCs ship with the TPM capability. Some examples are noted in the Enterprise Security: Putting the TPM to Work Whitepaper, but enterprises using the TPM include large manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, food service companies and many others.
To circle back to Intel's belief in hardware security, Intel has included TPM capabilities in its platforms for many years - including millions of embedded platforms that are used for manufacturing, kiosk and other applications. Intel's TXT technology embeds TPM capabilities, migrating what used to be known as LeGrand, into platforms widely used for enterprise applications.
Watch for more news and developments with TCG's hardware-based approach to security!
