Guest post by Microsoft has released details on Azure Sphere, their bid to make IoT devices secure by default:
First is a new class of microcontrollers (MCUs) that supports seven critical hardware features that Microsoft says are a necessary foundation to build secure systems. These include support for unforgeable encryption keys protected by hardware, the ability to update system software, and hardware-enforced compartmentalization between software components. Microsoft has some track record in building such systems, in particular with the Xbox, which is designed to have tamper-proof hardware that’s securely updatable.
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Second is a new operating system: Azure Sphere OS. The company says this OS combines a custom Linux kernel with Windows-inspired security features, providing a secure platform that scales down to smaller systems than Windows can reach. Application code is run within containers to provide isolation, and Microsoft will have a custom security monitor running beneath the Linux kernel to protect system integrity and arbitrate access to critical resources.
The third part is Azure Sphere Security Service, a cloud service that will detect security issues (by recognizing failures and errors on devices), act as a source of software updates, and mediate secure communications between devices and to the cloud.
The Microsoft-made microcontroller designs will be available to manufacturers under royalty-free licenses.
Additionally, the big news is Microsoft’s own Linux distribution, a first for the company. They do have a custom Linux build they us in-house for Azure’s networking stack, but that isn’t available outside of the company.
There’s nothing wrong with security at face value, however I am extremely wary of microsoft’s definition of “secure”. Reading between the lines I am highly concerned that this is microsoft moving to push more restrictions on MCUs in order to gain control over owners.
Like in the case of the xbox, most of those protections were put in place to lock owners out and limit their access to the hardware.
I didn’t think I’d live to see the day. It’s a good sign of pragmatism.
But bison are going to fly before I put my security in Microsoft’s hands.
Really? The world is getting weirder every day. It’s like I woke up one day in a parallel universe, where Axl Rose is the frontman for AC/DC.
So, this http://www.mslinux.org is coming true after all those years?
They finally found out how to get rid of the foot mark on the start button.
*<:o[#]
April fool check…
<quote>The company says this OS combines a custom Linux kernel with Windows-inspired security features, providing a secure platform that scales down to smaller systems than Windows can reach.</quote>
This… Did… My day… :’-D
I… Can’t… Stop… Laughing…
oh Jesus ! I gonna die !!!! ROFL
Ho dear, I laughed at the same sentence !
Only the ones who did embedded devl for 20 years can understand. You made my day too.
If you have ever knew Win-CE 3,4,4.1,4.2,5,6, Windows XP embedded, Wind River, RTOS, uCLinux or some QNX.
If you remember well the dancing monkey Ballmer and the “Linux is a cancer” story…
*This* sentence is the one.
Edited 2018-04-20 14:28 UTC
It will provide a secure platform for all the smaller system, https://appletechsupportnumber.net/iphone-support/“>
wants to know that is the operating system contains Linux kernel? If it the Linux kernel then it will be usable for the small system and by the average users.