Hardware-Rooted Trust — Impossible to Forge, Clone, or Spoof

Hardware Security Module

Steven Sprague, TPM Co-Inventor & Veritize CTO

What is a TPM?

A Trusted Platform Module is a tamper-resistant hardware chip built into your computer that creates an unforgeable identity for your device — like a fingerprint that can never be changed.

Why Hardware Trust Matters

Software can be hacked, passwords can be stolen, but a TPM chip is physically embedded in your device's motherboard. It generates cryptographic keys that never leave the chip — not even the device owner can extract them.

This means when a TPM signs something, you can be 100% certain which physical device did it. No spoofing, no impersonation, no doubt.

Hardware Trust (TPM)

  • Keys never leave the chip
  • Tamper-resistant hardware
  • Impossible to clone or extract
  • Survives OS reinstall
  • Attests device integrity
  • Industry standard (ISO/IEC 11889)

Software-Only Security

  • Keys stored in files (stealable)
  • Vulnerable to malware
  • Can be copied to other machines
  • Lost on system wipe
  • No hardware verification
  • Trust is assumed, not proven

How TPM Attestation Works

TPM Chip

Hardware root of trust

Generate Keys

Unique, non-exportable

Measure State

PCR registers

Create Quote

Signed attestation

Real-World Use Cases

Remote Work Security

Verify employees are using approved company devices, not personal machines that could be compromised. Enforce device compliance before granting access to sensitive systems.

Protects: Corporate networks from unauthorized devices

Document Signing

When signing legal contracts, prove which exact device was used. If someone claims "I didn't sign that," the TPM attestation proves they did — from their specific laptop.

Protects: Non-repudiation of signatures

AI Training Data

Content creators prove their work was created on a verified device. When AI companies license training data, they have proof of the original source device.

Protects: Content provenance for AI licensing

Manufacturing IoT

Every sensor and PLC on the factory floor attests its identity. Detect if a device has been tampered with or replaced by a malicious lookalike.

Protects: Industrial control systems

Financial Transactions

Banks can require TPM attestation before approving large transfers. Verify the transaction originated from a known, trusted device — not a hacker's machine.

Protects: High-value financial operations

Secure Voting

Election systems use TPM to verify voting machines haven't been tampered with. Attestation proves the software and hardware are in a known-good state.

Protects: Election integrity

What TPM Validates

Device Identity

Unique hardware fingerprint

Boot Integrity

No tampering at startup

Software State

Verified OS and apps

Key Authenticity

Hardware-bound credentials

Action Timestamp

When the device acted

User Binding

Who used the device

Technical Specifications

TPM 2.0 Standard ISO/IEC 11889 compliant
RSA & ECC Keys 2048-bit RSA, P-256 curves
SHA-256 PCRs Platform Configuration Registers
Hardware RNG True random number generator
Remote Attestation Prove device state over network
Sealed Storage Encrypt data to device state

Hardware Trust for Your Organization

Stop trusting software alone — anchor your security to tamper-proof hardware