Microsoft Announces ‘Pluton’ Security Processor for Windows PCs

Nov. 18, 2020

Microsofthas today announced that it’s making a new ‘Pluton’ security processor for Windows PCs to improve security and threat protection for users. The company is developing the new processor in partnership withAMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, which means when it actually becomes available, it should be present on almost every Windows PC, including ARM based systems running Qualcomm’s processors such as the 8cx or the SQ1/ SQ2 chipsets in theSurface Pro X.

For the unaware, Microsoft currently uses a Trusted Platform Module, or TPM, to store credentials and cryptographic keys to ensure the system remains protected. However hackers have been figuring out new techniques that attack the communications between a CPU and the TPM and stealing user data. Pluton seems to be Microsoft’s next attempt at making an ultimate security solution for Windows.

“Windows devices with Pluton will use the Pluton security processor to protect credentials, user identities, encryption keys, and personal data. None of this information can be removed from Pluton even if an attacker has installed malware or has complete physical possession of the PC,”said Microsoft in a blog post.

As of right now, Microsoft hasn’t divulged just when we can expect to see Pluton chips in Windows computers, but we will be keeping our ears to the ground on this one so stay tuned.