Trusted Computing Group
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The Trusted Computing Group (TCG), successor to the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA), is a controversial initiative led by AMD, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Sony, and Sun Microsystems to implement trusted computing.
TCG's original major goal was the development of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a hardware intellectual property block or integrated circuit that conforms to the trusted platform module specification put forward by the Trusted Computing Group and is to be included with computers to enable trusted computing features. TCG-compliant functionality has since been integrated directly into certain mass-market chipsets.
TCG also recently released the first version of their Trusted Network Connect (TNC) protocol specification, based on the principles of AAA, but adding the ability to authorize network clients on the basis of hardware configuration, BIOS, kernel version, and which updates that have been applied to the OS and anti-virus software, etc. [1].
Related projects
Chipmakers have developed varying implementations that integrate the TPM functions into a normal chipset. Intel's is called LaGrande Technology (LT). AMD's is called Secure Execution Mode (SEM). Transmeta's is called Transmeta Security eXtensions (TSX). IBM uses two names, Embedded Security Subsystem and ThinkVantage Technology. National Semiconductor uses two names as well, SafeKeeper and Super I/O. Phoenix Technologies' BIOS for it is called Core Managed Environment (cME). Fujitsu calls it FirstWare Vault. Hewlett Packard calls it ProtectTools.
Microsoft's initiative is called NGSCB (formerly Palladium). A full implementation of NGSCB is not expected to be a part of the Microsoft's next major operating system release, Windows Vista. Instead, a trimmed-down version named "Secure Startup", which relies on a TPM chip, will be included in Vista. [2]
External links
- "Can you trust your computer?" by Richard Stallman
- A video clip, that educates about TCPA (released under a creative commons license)
- Against TCPA.com
- TCG official site
- "Staying In Control With Trusted Platform Modules" Tom's Hardware Guide analysis and opinion piece on the TCG and on TPM.
- Wave Systems Corp. TPM Trust Infrastructure provider
- Ross Anderson's TCPA/Palladium FAQ
- TCPA and Palladium Technical Analysis
- Security in Open versus Closed Systems (PDF)
- ExtremeTech article: Microsoft's Palladium: Security for whom?
- Trusted Computing Platform Alliance homepage
- The Register story about Intel's LaGrande chip project
- Digital Rights Management issues in real-time and safety/mission critical systems
- AEL wiki on Trusted Computing with many links and press articles
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