In response to the escalating frequency of cyber and malware attacks targeting both defence infrastructure and critical systems nationwide, the Defence Ministry of India has taken a significant step by opting to replace the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) in all internet-connected computers with a locally developed alternative, Maya OS.“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,” a source familiar with the development told the news outlet The Hindu.Additionally, an indigenous end point detection and protection system, known as Chakravyuh, is being installed into these Maya OS-enabled systems.The Maya OS is based on Ubuntu, a popular open-source Linux distribution with a strong developer base.The Defence Ministry has collaborated with several governmental agencies, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), to develop the new OS within six months, according to media reports.When will Maya OS be releasedAt present, Maya OS deployment is limited to the Defence Ministrys systems, with plans to extend its implementation to the networks of the three military branches. While the Navy has already approved the transition, the Army and the Air Force are currently evaluating its integration into their respective networks, the source told reporters.MoD is looking to replace Microsoft OS in all computers connected to the Internet with MAYA.MAYA is an indigenously developed OS designed to counter cyber & malware attacks. An end point detection & protection system called Chakravyuh is also being installed in these systems.… pic.twitter.com/BbvayovGoh— Indian Aerospace Defence News – IADN (@NewsIADN) August 9, 2023The operating system is currently in its evaluation phase, and it is expected that it will be released soon for installation. The Ministrys plan is to install Maya OS, along with the Chakravyuh protection system, on all computers connected to the Internet in the South Block before Independence Day on August 15.The upcoming rollout of Maya OS is set to enhance the countrys cyber defences by thwarting malware and cyberattacks, which have surged considerably in recent times.The Defence Ministrys move to develop an indigenous operating system comes in the wake of several malware and ransom attacks on crucial infrastructures within India. Notable instances include the 2019 cyberattack on the Kudankulum Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), the 2020 Mumbai Power Grid outage, and the 2022 ransomware attacks on Oil India Limited and Spice Jet servers.By adopting an indigenous OS solution, India aims to not only fortify its critical computer systems against malicious actors but also reduce its reliance on foreign software, thereby enhancing its overall cybersecurity posture.
