Patent ID: 8670568

Claim:
A computer platform, comprising: a processor; a cryptographic co-processor coupled to the processor; and a platform entity coupled to the processor, wherein the platform entity establishes a secure relationship with the cryptographic co-processor that enables the platform entity to utilize cryptographic functions provided by the cryptographic co-processor; wherein the platform entity is a firmware of the computer platform and the cryptographic co-processor is a Trusted Platform Module (TPM); wherein if the firmware communicates with a local entity, the firmware is authorized to utilize a set of cryptographic functions provided by the cryptographic co-processor, the set of cryptographic functions comprising a signature scheme that discloses an identity of the firmware to the local entity; wherein, if the platform entity communicates with a remote entity, the platform entity is authorized to utilize a second set of cryptographic functions provided by the cryptographic co-processor, the second set of cryptographic functions comprising an anonymous signature scheme that prevents disclosure of the platform entity's identity to the remote entity.