Microsoft Built Its Own Custom Linux Kernel for Securing IoT Devices

Finally, the wait is over!

On Monday, during the security-focused RSA Conference in San Francisco, Technology mammoth, Microsoft has announced that it has built a custom Linux kernel to power Azure Sphere, which is a newly launched technology aiming to secure billions of IoT devices by combining the custom Linux kernel with new chip design, and its cloud security service.

Project Azure Sphere focuses on microcontroller-based devices that use tiny and relatively low-powered microcontrollers (MCUs) for basic control. Typically, these kinds of microcontroller-based devices, which could be anything from a toy to a household gadget or an industrial application, don’t often get updated and hence requires high-end security.

“These MCUs are combined with both real-time and application processors with built-in Microsoft security technology and connectivity,” Microsoft explains.

Developed by Microsoft Research, the Certified Microcontrollers of the Custom Linux Kernel is a cross-over class of fixed-functional microcontroller chips, which are going to be licensed to manufacturing partners for free that comes with built-in connectivity, networking, and Pluton security subsystems.

"Each Azure Sphere chip includes Microsoft’s Pluton security subsystem, which runs the Azure Sphere OS, and connects to the Azure Sphere Security Service for simple and secure updates, failure reporting, and authentication," Microsoft said.

The custom Linux kernel, Azure Sphere is now available in private preview. And also the company is going to distribute software development kits to everyone interested in hacking Azure Sphere by the middle of this year.