What can best be defined as the sum of protection mechanisms inside the computer, including hardware, firmware and software?

The correct answer is C. Trusted computing base. The Trusted Computing Base (TCB) is the totality of all protection mechanisms within a computer system - encompassing hardware, firmware, and software - that are responsible for enforcing the security policy. It is the complete combination of components that must be trusted to op

Submitted by emma.c· Apr 18, 2026Security Concepts and Practices

Question

What can best be defined as the sum of protection mechanisms inside the computer, including hardware, firmware and software?

Options

ATrusted system
BSecurity kernel
CTrusted computing base
DSecurity perimeter

How the community answered

(60 responses)

A
2% (1)
B
2% (1)
C
90% (54)
D
7% (4)

Explanation

The Trusted Computing Base (TCB) is the totality of all protection mechanisms within a computer system - encompassing hardware, firmware, and software - that are responsible for enforcing the security policy. It is the complete combination of components that must be trusted to operate correctly. A Security Kernel is a subset of the TCB (just the kernel portion). A Trusted System is a broader concept. The Security Perimeter defines the boundary of the TCB, not the TCB itself.

Topics

#Trusted Computing Base#System Security Architecture#Security Models

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