Trusted Computing

Definition ∞ Trusted computing refers to technologies and methodologies designed to enhance the security of computer systems by establishing a hardware-rooted chain of trust. This aims to ensure that a system behaves as expected and has not been tampered with. It provides a verifiable execution environment. It assures system integrity.
Context ∞ In the context of digital assets and blockchain, trusted computing technologies can be applied to secure private keys, execute smart contracts in confidential environments, or verify the integrity of nodes participating in a decentralized network. The discussion often balances the security benefits of hardware-based trust with concerns about potential centralization or vendor lock-in. Developments seek to integrate these features while preserving decentralization.