TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

What security feature allows hardware and software to work together to establish a chain of trust in computing?

1. Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

2. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

3. Windows Defender

4. Network Access Control (NAC)

The correct answer is: Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a specialized security component that facilitates a foundational level of trust in computing environments. It provides a hardware-based root of trust that works in conjunction with software processes to create a secure environment. The TPM generates, stores, and manages cryptographic keys securely, ensuring that if the software running on a machine is tampered with, the TPM can detect this by establishing a chain of trust during the boot process. This chain of trust begins with the firmware (such as the BIOS or UEFI), which loads and checks the integrity of the operating system. If everything checks out, the system will boot. If any processes have been altered or compromised, the TPM will not allow the operating system to load, protecting the integrity of the system. This seamless cooperation between TPM hardware and system software enables secure boot processes, disk encryption, and other security features, thus enhancing overall system security. In contrast, other options may provide certain security benefits, but they do not establish a comprehensive chain of trust as effectively as the TPM. UEFI serves as an interface between the operating system and the firmware but does not independently provide the secure storage and management of cryptographic keys. Windows Defender offers malware protection but does not inherently create a trust model