What relationship does Trusted Network Connect have to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and other TCG efforts?
TNC is an excellent application for the TPM in that it helps establish a link to a decision point where integrity reports may be evaluated. Use of the TPM by TNC is optional, but for platforms with a TPM, the convenient reporting infrastructure enables the TPM reports to be factored into network access control decisions. A system with the TPM can protect sensitive data such as encryption keys and collected measurements. The TPM safely stores those measurements in a protected location until ready for reporting. It can protect the measurements from man-in-the-middle attacks that might occur anytime thereafter. Products based on TNC architecture can operate in today’s environments with and without TPMs, but if present, there is greater assurance that TNC integrity reports originated from the expected platform.
