The 'Maya' operating system

In a pivotal move to fortify cyber defenses amidst rising cyber threats, India's Ministry of Defence has decided to replace the Microsoft operating system in its computers with a homegrown alternative 'Maya' Operating System. This domestic product was devised by a government organization within six months using the open-source Ubuntu framework. The Maya Operating System boasts an interface resembling Windows', promising users a smooth transition. With trials beginning by August 15th, the aim is to deploy Maya OS across all connected systems eventually. In the first quarter of 2023, India faced an 18% rise in weekly cyberattacks, with organizations enduring an average of 2,108 attacks weekly. A major survey showed that around 73% of Indian organizations fell into the trap of ransomware attacks. Defence and education lag behind healthcare in terms of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. As the nation hastens its digitization process, it inevitably widens the range of cyberthreats, inviting harmful cyber offenders.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

  1. Maya operating system is a domestic product developed by a local government organization.
  2. The Maya OS was constructed using the open-source Ubuntu framework and its interface is similar to Windows.
  3. The trial phase of the Maya OS will begin by August 15th.
  4. The rampant increase in cyberattacks, as prevalent sectors like healthcare, defence, and education are facing increased threats.
  5. General M U Nair is the National Cyber Security Coordinator.