India To Dump Microsoft Windows? OS Maya And “Chakravyuh” To Protect Defense Ministry PCs

Cyberattacks, and malware including ransomware, are not only troubling private businesses and the common citizenry but also governments. Hence, the Indian government has reportedly decided to switch to a more secure operating system.

India's Defense Ministry has decided to replace Microsoft Operating System (OS) with a new OS called "Maya" and install "Chakravyuh" end-point anti-malware and antivirus. Let's look at the developments which haven't been officially confirmed yet.

India To Adopt OS Maya For Defense Computers With Access To The Internet

The Indian defense network is vast and complex. The majority of the computers in the hands of actively deployed defense personnel aren't connected to the internet.

The Defense Ministry, however, has hundreds of PCs that are connected to the World Wide Web. Needless to say, these computers can be targeted by malware. After all, several state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (ATP) groups routinely target such systems which could be holding sensitive information or allow deeper penetration into networks.

To better mitigate these threats, the Defense Ministry has reportedly decided to replace the Microsoft Operating System (OS) in all computers connected to the Internet with a new OS, Maya. The new operating system is essentially a Linux distribution based on the widely popular Ubuntu OS.

The Maya OS is developed indigenously, and should be able to replace Windows OS with ease, indicated official involved in the process said:

"Maya has the interface and all functionality like Windows and users will not feel much difference as they transition to it. To begin with, the direction is to install Maya on all computers connected to the Internet in South Block before August 15."

OS Maya Will Have "Chakravyuh" End-Point Malware Detection And Protection System

Maya is replacing Windows OS installed on Defence Ministry PCs. It is not being deployed on computers connected to the networks of the three Services.

The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force have vetted OS Maya. In fact, the Indian Navy has already cleared the OS. The Indian Army and Air Force are currently evaluating the same. However, post the evaluation, all three divisions should begin installing the OS Maya on their service networks.

In addition to the OS Maya, the Indian Defense Ministry PCs will also get Chakravyuh, an 'endpoint detection and protection system'. Together, these platforms would help prevent malware attacks and other cyberattacks, which had seen a steep increase, the official noted.

There have been multiple attempts in the past to replace Windows OS with an Indian one. However, the ease of use, familiarity, wide availability of applications, and support, ensured Windows was the staple OS on the majority of PCs.