TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which security measure uses a unique key that can be used for hardware system identification?

1. Public Key Infrastructure

2. Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

3. Secure Sockets Layer

4. Virtual Private Network

The correct answer is: Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is the correct choice because it is specifically designed to provide hardware-based security functions, including system identification. A TPM is a dedicated microcontroller that is integrated into the hardware of a computer, which helps in ensuring that the system hardware is secure and cannot be tampered with. One of its key features is the use of unique keys that are generated and stored within the TPM chip. These keys can be used for various security purposes including hardware authentication, secure boot processes, and protecting sensitive data. By leveraging these unique keys, the TPM can verify that the hardware and software components of the system are compliant with security policies and have not been altered. This aspect of hardware identification not only helps in ensuring device integrity but also enhances security protocols in applications like digital rights management and encryption. Other options, while related to security, do not specifically provide unique hardware identification keys. Public Key Infrastructure involves asymmetric cryptography but does not tie directly to hardware identification. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol for encrypting data over networks, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates secure connections over the internet, but neither of these provide the unique key feature for hardware identification as the TPM does.