Kaspersky Lab developing own operating system
IT security solutions and antivirus developer Kaspersky Lab’s founder has Eugene Kaspersky confirmed that the company will be developing it’s own operating system to be deployed in industry systems that might fall victim to hacking attempts.
“We’re developing a secure operating system for protecting key information systems (industrial control systems (ICS)) used in industry/infrastructure. Quite a few rumours about this project have already appeared on the Internet, so I guess it’s time to lift the curtain (a little) on our secret project and let you know (a bit) about what’s really going on,” Eugene Kaspersky wrote on his blog.
Kaspersky highlighted that industrial computers, such as those maintaining electricity grids and water supply, are vulnerable to attack and once they have been breached, criminals can cause all sorts of havoc.
But as to how Kaspersky was able to create an operating system that is as secure as they claim, when Microsoft or Apple cannot secure their own systems, Kaspersky said it is rather simple-
“First: our system is highly tailored, developed for solving a specific narrow task, and not intended for playing Half-Life on, editing your vacation videos, or blathering on social media. Second: we’re working on methods of writing software which by design won’t be able to carry out any behind-the-scenes, undeclared activity. This is the important bit: the impossibility of executing third-party code, or of breaking into the system or running unauthorized applications on our OS; and this is both provable and testable,” he explained.
However, consumers will not be able to buy the software over the counter, as it is strictly for large corporations. “The development is a truly secure environment. It is a sophisticated project and almost impracticable without active interaction with ICS operators and vendors.”
Kaspersky also added that there will be some elements of the operating system that will remain a secret forever – to ward of future attacks and to maintain their competitive edge.
“We can’t reveal many details of the project now because of the confidentiality of such cooperation. And we don’t want to talk about some stuff so competitors won’t jump on our ideas and nick the know-how. And then there are some details that will remain for certain customers’ eyes only forever, to ward off cyber-terrorist abuses. But as soon as any possibilities do appear, we’ll tell you all we can about the project in more detail,” he concluded.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
