A SecureElement is a component which is capable to securely store confidential or cryptographic data and host functionality to operate with that data. Thus, TrustAnchor capabilities can be realized using such a component. SecureElements are available with different characteristics and formfactors. Starting from software implementations bootstrapped from a single (hardware-) protected secret and offering some basic protection during execution (e.g., dedicated privilege level) to dedicated security micro controllers. Examples for trust anchor technologies are TCG DICE, TCG TPM, ISO 7816 series.

GTA API aims at providing a single generic abstraction allowing an application to access TrustAnchor functionality regardless of the technology used for the SecureElement.