A method, comprising: detecting whether a portable security device having a trusted platform module therein is engaged with a device; and activating the trusted platform module within the portable security device responsive to detecting the portable security device is engaged, the trusted platform module of the portable security device being configured to provide hardware-based security for the engaged device; characterized by: tracking a time since a first activation of the trusted platform module; tracking a time since a previous activation of the trusted platform module; determining whether the time since the first activation is greater than a first predetermined threshold; determining whether the time since the previous activation is greater than a second predetermined threshold, in response to determining that the time since the first activation is not greater than the first predetermined threshold; deactivating the trusted platform module in response to determining that the time since the first activation is greater than the first predetermined threshold or that the time since the previous activation is greater than the second predetermined threshold; detecting power at the portable security device after the trusted platform module is deactivated; determining whether to reactivate the trusted platform module, comprising determining whether a time since the deactivation of the trusted platform module exceeds a third predetermined threshold beyond which the trusted platform module is not available for reactivation; if it is determined to reactivate the trusted platform module, transmitting a reactivation password to the user; prompting the user for the reactivation password; determining whether a password received from the user is correct; and if the received password is correct, reactivating the trusted platform module within the portable security device. detecting whether a portable security device having a trusted platform module therein is engaged with a device; and activating the trusted platform module within the portable security device responsive to detecting the portable security device is engaged, the trusted platform module of the portable security device being configured to provide hardware-based security for the engaged device; characterized by: tracking a time since a first activation of the trusted platform module; tracking a time since a previous activation of the trusted platform module; determining whether the time since the first activation is greater than a first predetermined threshold; determining whether the time since the previous activation is greater than a second predetermined threshold, in response to determining that the time since the first activation is not greater than the first predetermined threshold; deactivating the trusted platform module in response to determining that the time since the first activation is greater than the first predetermined threshold or that the time since the previous activation is greater than the second predetermined threshold; detecting power at the portable security device after the trusted platform module is deactivated; determining whether to reactivate the trusted platform module, comprising determining whether a time since the deactivation of the trusted platform module exceeds a third predetermined threshold beyond which the trusted platform module is not available for reactivation; if it is determined to reactivate the trusted platform module, transmitting a reactivation password to the user; prompting the user for the reactivation password; determining whether a password received from the user is correct; and if the received password is correct, reactivating the trusted platform module within the portable security device. tracking a time since a first activation of the trusted platform module; tracking a time since a previous activation of the trusted platform module; determining whether the time since the first activation is greater than a first predetermined threshold; determining whether the time since the previous activation is greater than a second predetermined threshold, in response to determining that the time since the first activation is not greater than the first predetermined threshold; deactivating the trusted platform module in response to determining that the time since the first activation is greater than the first predetermined threshold or that the time since the previous activation is greater than the second predetermined threshold; detecting power at the portable security device after the trusted platform module is deactivated; determining whether to reactivate the trusted platform module, comprising determining whether a time since the deactivation of the trusted platform module exceeds a third predetermined threshold beyond which the trusted platform module is not available for reactivation; if it is determined to reactivate the trusted platform module, transmitting a reactivation password to the user; prompting the user for the reactivation password; determining whether a password received from the user is correct; and if the received password is correct, reactivating the trusted platform module within the portable security device.