Microsoft puts emphasis on hardware based security to protect sensitive user data stored on connected devices. The company integrates OPTIGA™ TPMs (Trusted Platform Modules) from Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) into its latest personal computing devices. Among these are the new Surface Pro 4 tablet and the Surface Book, the first Microsoft branded laptop.

TPMs are dedicated security chips to store sensitive data such as keys, certificates and passwords separated from the main processor. This increases protection of the computing device from unauthorized access, manipulation and data theft. For example, the key and password of the Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption application are securely stored inside the TPM.

Infineon is recognized as the world’s leading supplier of security solutions for Trusted Computing. Microsoft’s personal computing devices rely on the OPTIGA™ TPM SLB 9665, the industry’s first certified security controller based on the latest TPM 2.0 standard. This standard was defined by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG), an international standardization group with members such as Intel and Google. TPM 2.0 specifications are based on most advanced cryptography and security mechanisms. In addition, they particularly address mobile computing such as notebooks and tablets as well as IoT devices with special security requirements