Secure enablement of a removable security module on a logic board

A secure computing system comprising:

• a motherboard;
• a pluggable security card having a trusted platform module (TPM) designed to secure the secure computing system using integrated cryptographic keys, the pluggable security card being removably affixed to the motherboard via a physical connection;
• a detection circuit configured to monitor a continuity of physical connection, wherein the detection circuit is disposed on the motherboard, the detection circuit includes a battery and a volatile memory, and the pluggable security card establishes an electrical connection between the battery and the volatile memory through the pluggable security card;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the detection circuit, the processor configured to prevent operation of the secure computing system based on the detection circuit indicating a loss of the continuity of physical connection,
• wherein a loss of the electrical connection will result in erasure of the volatile memory.

A secure computing system comprising:

• a processor configured to prevent operation of the secure computing system based on a determination that a tamper event flag is set;
• a microcontroller configured to monitor a continuity of a physical connection between a motherboard of the secure computing system and a pluggable security card having a trusted platform module (TPM) designed to secure the secure computing system using integrated cryptographic keys, the pluggable security card being removably affixed to the motherboard, wherein the motherboard includes a detection circuit comprising a battery and a volatile memory and wherein the pluggable security card establishes an electrical connection between the battery and the volatile memory through the pluggable security card,
• wherein the microcontroller is further configured to set the tamper event flag based on detecting a loss of the continuity of physical connection,
• wherein a loss of the electrical connection will result in erasure of the volatile memory.