Microsoft has been touting the charms of its Next-Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB), formerly codenamed Palladium, for years. But it may prove to be the classic bait and switch,’ as Microsoft continues to pare it down before launch.
Among the features Microsoft listed of NGSCB are the ability to create secure compartmentalization of data and applications, the ability to protect data with a secure pathway from the keyboard through the computer, as well as capabilities to complement existing computing and security environments.
But recently light has been shed on the actual availability of these features by the time Longhorn launches in late 2006.
“With the Longhorn launch we are delivering the first part of NGSCB: Secure Startup,” Jim Allchin, Microsoft’s group vice president for platforms, told vnunet.com at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle. “Not all of the compartmentalization technology will be available.”
Secure Startup blocks access to hard drive contents by blocking access if, say, a laptop thief tries booting up from a floppy disk or by switching out the hard drive.
While this is a nice feature, many were more excited about compartmentalization. This feature would set up a system of roadblocks between applications to prevent a virus from replicating itself from application to application.
Though this was intended to be packaged with Longhorn, it looks as though it will not be ready in time. Microsoft representatives hope to have the full version ready by 2007 or 2008.
Of further concern is the seeming contradiction that it will have “capabilities to complement existing computing environments.”
According to vnunet.com, Microsoft plans to label new computers as a “Ready PC,” if they are equipped with the hardware to handle the upgrade. Many older and perfectly useable computers will not be equipped.
