India's defense ministry has announced a major overhaul of its cybersecurity system, with plans to replace Windows in all of its networked computers with a new operating system called Maya. The Indian Express noted that the move is in response to the growing threat of malware and ransomware attacks. It aims to promote independent innovation and reduce dependence on foreign software.
Maya OS is a new operating system based on Ubuntu. After suffering several cyberattacks in 2021, the Indian Ministry of Defense believed that creating its own operating system is safer and more reliable than Windows, and thus came up with the idea of creating Maya OS. A team of Indian experts from various government agencies spent six months testing and improving the operating system in collaboration with Indian software companies and academic institutions.
At present, the operating system has been reviewed by the three services of India: the Navy has approved it, and the Army and Air Force are evaluating it.
One of the main advantages of Maya OS is that it has a similar interface and functionality to Windows, so users don't feel a noticeable difference when transitioning. It also has a feature called Chakravyuh, an endpoint anti-malware and anti-virus software that creates a virtual layer between the user and the internet, preventing hackers from accessing sensitive data.
Maya OS is named after the Sanskrit word Maya, which means "illusion". As the name suggests, MayaOS can create a deceptive layer of protection for the computers of the Indian Ministry of Defense from cyberattacks. The Chakravyuh, meanwhile, derives from an ancient Indian military formation used to trap enemies in circular mazes.
Currently, Maya OS is in the evaluation stage and is expected to be available soon. The first is the planned installation of Maya OS on all Internet-connected computers in South India by August 15, along with the installation of the Chakravyuh protection system. It is expected to cover all computer systems of the Indian Ministry of Defense by the end of this year.