The Australian national research agency Data61 has developed an unhackable kernel named seL4 and proved its unhackable property mathematically. The kernel does this job by separating the critical systems and data from the kernel.
Today, the threat of cyber attacks isn’t just limited to computers and smartphones. With the ever-increasing intrusion of computers and electronics in our lives, ranging from our home automation system to cars, everything has become a hacker’s target.
This could also create problems in the battlefield where any software plays an important role in military and intelligence systems. Recently, in a DARPA drill, hackers were given the complete access to the computer of a Boeing Little Bird helicopter – but they were unable to disrupt the critical systems of the helicopter. How did this happen? Well, the computer in the helicopter was using a new operating system, based on an unhackable kernel.
Kernel is the heart of any computer’s operating system and if hackers can access it, they can do some irreparable damages to your system. Here, I’m talking about a very dangerous situation where security of power station systems, heart pacemakers, vehicles, weapons etc. could be compromised. The Australian national research agency Data61 has developed an unhackable kernel named seL4 – and proved this mathematically.
Gernot Heiser from Data61 writes, “My hope is that in 10 years’ time, anything that is security critical is running on our system or some other one built on the principles we’ve established.”
The seL4 unhackable kernel comes with some very secure characteristics. It can only do what it’s designed to do and its code is unalterable without permission. Along the similar lines, its memory and data can’t be read without permission. Another interesting fact: An earlier version of seL4, known as OKL4, could be found in millions of smartphones.
The seL4 unhackable kernel works this way by isolating the data and the kernel. This could also be used to run two operating systems simultaneously to stop the hacking.
The seL4 unhackable kernel could also be used in multiple situations like medical equipment, manufacturing plants, automobiles, satellites and more.
Watch the video below to know about the basics of a kernel:
With inputs from New Scientist
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