- AMD announces Ryzen 6000 Series CPUs with Microsoft Pluton chip integration.
- The new security chip will first be available on the Lenovo ThinkPad Z series laptops.
AMD and Microsoft have teamed up to incorporate AMD’s Pluton processor into the newest Ryzen 6000 Series CPUs. Additionally, Lenovo will be the first computer manufacturer to implement this technology on the latest Windows 11-powered ThinkPad Z line laptops.
Microsoft released the Pluton security chip in 2020 to enhance device security by building on the security features seen in Xbox and Azure Sphere devices. It isn’t a stand-alone silicon, though. Rather, the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is replaced with a new chip that integrates inside a CPU (in this example, on the Ryzen 6000 Series mobile processors).
In order to prevent future and novel assaults, like the ones we’ve witnessed with the Spectre and Meltdown hardware security issues, Pluton aims to tightly integrate hardware and software.
Utilizing the processor, Microsoft Pluton technology isolates user identity, credentials, encryption keys, and personal data from the main system. Furthermore, even if the attacker has full physical access to the device or has installed malware, the data stored on the chip cannot be deleted. In order to guarantee that keys are never revealed outside of the secured hardware, the design additionally provides a Secure Hardware Cryptography Key (SHACK) technology.
Additionally, the chip can simulate a TPM to function with the Trusted Platform Module requirements and APIs that are currently accessible, allowing the end-user to keep using BitLocker and System Guard.
Pluton’s ability to get firmware updates straight from Windows Update may be its most significant feature. This keeps devices safe and lessens patching fragmentation, which is an issue now since devices download updates from several sources.
According to Microsoft’s official announcement, Pluton can be set up in three different ways: as a TPM, non-TPM for platform resiliency, or disabled by the manufacturer.
The AMD Ryzen 6000 series CPUs and devices, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Z16, will be the first to ship with this technology, and they are anticipated to be on sale in May 2022, even though the software giant will continue to collaborate with partners to expand its security processor.
