Trusted Execution is collection of features in AIX that can be applied to enhance (or specify) the degree of trust for applications running on AIX. Trust is a central concept for IT security. One might say that TRUST is a way of expressing how certain a user or administrator can be that malicious user(s) have not been able to access and modify applications, kernel extensions, or system configurations.

In other words, Trusted Execution provides the SA (system administrator) the tools needed to specify executables, kernel executables and files that need to be verified before they are used. Unlike the old TCB (trusted computing base) methods, Trusted Execution verification occurs in realtime - or runtime - when the (un)trusted object is accessed. Files that do not meet verification standards/tests are not loaded/opened by AIX.

One of the changes in AIX6 are the messages the console displays as AIX boots. This is the way to know what security settings are in effect once AIX is active.

Read Further for brief descriptions of Trusted Execution Policies and AIX Operational Modes