What is the purpose of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) when BitLocker is enabled?

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) plays a crucial role in enhancing the security of systems, especially in the context of disk encryption with BitLocker. When BitLocker is enabled, TPM is responsible for providing pre-start system integrity verification. This means that before the operating system loads, the TPM checks the integrity of the system’s boot process and configuration values. If any unauthorized changes are detected, the TPM can prevent the system from booting, thereby protecting the data from potential threats.

This process involves verifying the cryptographic keys that are stored within the TPM against the system’s configuration to ensure that it has not been tampered with. By doing so, it helps establish a trusted environment where sensitive data remains protected. This functionality is critical in preventing attacks such as rootkits, where malicious software tries to compromise the operating system before it starts.

The other choices, while relevant to various aspects of system management or security, do not directly pertain to the primary purpose of TPM in the context of BitLocker.