Reports all over the internet have given details regarding the Chinese Military’s plan to do away with the Windows operating system and switch to a new operating system. Although, there are no reports of any Linux-based or Unix-like OS adoption yet as replacement for the proprietary software.
Reports now has it that it seems Russia is also tilting swiftly towards replacing Windows with the native Astra Linux. This is a Debian-based distribution originally launched by RusBITech in 2008. RusBITech which was initially focused on the private sector has now focused on and expanded to the local government bodies.
From recent development, it’s been gathered that Astra Linux now has acquired the security clearance from the Russian Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC) since April 17, 2019 which has now given the OS a “special importance” clearance to be used government information of the highest degree of secrecy.
According to Astra Linux’s Roman Mylitsyn, this step is to reduce the time and financial costs of verifying the system integrity and security of the computer systems being used by the military.
It is important to mention at this point that similar reasons were also given by the Chinese Military when its plans to ditch Windows were revealed.
However, this plan to use Astra Linux in the military isn't really new. The Russian defence ministry announced the plans to ditch Windows sometimes in 2018, precisely 2018 with the reason that Microsoft’s operating system could hide back-doors exploitable by American agencies.
This means the conflict in the news might not just be having Huawei and Google as the baggage or the US alone.
For me, I am keen on this, I hope you are too.
Let's hear opinion...
Sayo Alabi
Content creator for Vanaplus Group.