What is the purpose of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)?

The purpose of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is to provide secure encryption for a drive. A TPM is a specialized hardware component that enhances security by generating, storing, and managing cryptographic keys used in various security applications. One of the primary functions of the TPM is to support full disk encryption technologies, such as BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows. By doing so, it ensures that the data on the drive is protected from unauthorized access, even if the physical hardware is compromised.

The hardware nature of the TPM means that keys and sensitive data are stored within the module, making it more difficult for attackers to retrieve this information through software vulnerabilities. The secure generation and storage of keys also help in verifying the integrity of the system at startup and ensuring that the boot process has not been tampered with, contributing significantly to overall system security.