A virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) is a software-based version of a hardware security component known as a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). It provides similar security functions, such as secure key storage and platform integrity verification, but operates in virtualized environments. This allows multiple virtual machines to share a single physical TPM while maintaining security. vTPMs are particularly useful in cloud computing and virtualization, where multiple operating systems run on a single physical server. By using vTPMs, organizations can enhance their security posture without needing dedicated hardware for each virtual machine, making it a cost-effective solution for protecting sensitive data.