Securing Industrial IoT with TPM 2.0

During the pandemic, computers enabled us to stay connected to family, friends, and businesses. But cyber security concerns have been raised due to increased dependency on these computers, particularly with the home-based network. Cyber-attacks are growing, many of which involve exploiting vulnerabilities in software-based security solutions. This suggests that security solutions that are purely based on software no longer offer strong security. As a result, developers and manufacturers are leaning toward hardware-backed solutions such as the Trusted Protection Module to provide robust security.

What is TPM?

A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a chip soldered to the computer’s motherboard to provide security functions such as:

• User Authentication
• Securing the Boot Process
• Data Encryption and Data protection
• Secured Communication between remotely connected devices
• Secure software and firmware updates over the air

When used in combination with BitLocker encryption, the TPM chip generates encryption keys, storing part of the key to itself. Therefore, an intruder can’t simply remove the disk and insert it into another computer to access data.

TPM for Industrial Computers

For years, Industrial computers have been using TPM chips to secure passwords and data. TPM chips address the security risks common to rugged, remote, and industrial environments, particularly in data-sensitive industries. Industrial computers deployed in public areas may become corrupted by malicious software installed via USB drives. Similarly, remote systems that are not commonly accessed by users or staff present an increased risk of compromised hardware. TPM-ready industrial computers provide vital assurance for defense operations where data security cannot be ignored. When a defense-grade laptop soldiers use in the field is lost or tampered with, the TPM chip makes data recovery more difficult for enemies.

TPM for Edge computing

TPM provides an additional layer of security for operations, storage, communications, and monitoring in the cloud-computing environment. TPM also ensures that the data is encrypted from connected devices to edge devices to the cloud. Identity authentication between 2 remote entities is achieved using TPM in software, hardware, or both. This ensures the entities are trustworthy and that their systems have not been tampered. TPM uses its Attestation Identity Key (AIK) pairs to help establish a secure channel for information exchange for secure communications between two Edge entities. TPM is critical in the industrial and mission-critical cloud infrastructure that hosts sensitive data, such as patient medical data. Unauthorized access to such systems and data breaches can cause catastrophic results.

Future Windows Devices

Windows plays a crucial role in protecting devices and protecting the ever-growing quantity of generated, transferred, and stored data. To stop hackers from using work at home as an opportunity to compromise sensitive data, Microsoft pushes security through the design approach as a must to make sure that all Windows devices remain protected throughout its entire network. TPM-enabled devices can ensure devices' reliability, identity, and security validity while enabling a device to report its integrity and protect its hardware and software. As cyber-attacks are not expected to slow down soon, TPM must be used to provide multi-layer security protection against the growing number of cyber threats.

Learn more: TPM 2.0