New Delhi: The Defence Ministry is installing an indigenously developed operating system called Maya OS, replacing Microsoft’s Windows, on all its computers by the end of this year. The step is aimed to protect MoD’s computers from cyberattacks. Following the defence ministry, the armed forces will also be soon adopting it.
Maya OS is a new operating system developed by the Union Ministry of Defence to protect its computer systems from cyberattacks. It is based on the open-source Ubuntu platform, which means it uses free and publicly available software. Maya OS aims to provide a robust defence against cyber threats by offering an interface and functionalities that are similar to that of Windows OS, ensuring a seamless transition for users.
The OS also comes with a feature called Chakravyuh, which is an end-point anti-malware and antivirus software that creates a virtual layer between the user and the internet, preventing hackers from accessing sensitive data. Maya OS is expected to be installed in all the computers of the Defence Ministry by the end of this year.
The development of Maya OS started in 2021 after India faced several cyberattacks from foreign actors that targeted its critical infrastructure and defence systems. The Defence Ministry decided to replace Microsoft Windows with a locally built OS that would be more secure and reliable.
A team of experts from various government agencies, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), worked on developing Maya OS based on the open-source Ubuntu platform. The team also collaborated with Indian software companies and academic institutions to test and improve the OS. The OS was developed in six months, according to people in the know.
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