Introduction to the TPM

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and smart card devices have many features in common. Both are low cost, tamper resistant, small footprint devices used to provide the basis of a secure computing environment. This chapter presents an introduction to the security mechanisms provided by the TPM highlighting those not typically found on a smart card. The concept of “ownership” is one of the major differences between the TPM and a smart card and this is described in some detail before concluding with a review of some of the security services uniquely provided by the TPM.