A Multi-OS Approach to Trusted Computer Systems

Abstract

I would like to talk about an idea, not results. Firstly I clarify the problems with previous trusted computer systems. Information security requires security of application system and security of platform, including hardware and operating system. Trusted computer systems or TCSs have been studied and used by the military since the early 1970s, but the requirement for TCSs increases because of computerisation in government, growth of economic commerce and passing of electronic signature laws. TCSs are now needed not only for the military but also for public and private sector, as in banking, insurance and digital content delivery. Public and private sector TCSs need not only to be secure but also to be easy to use for non-professional users, as they have to be used for security critical tasks as well as daily tasks. They also have to be cost effective. In meeting these new requirements, TCSs have two problems: they are hard to use and inconvenient for daily tasks, and they are much more expensive than ordinary systems. So I will propose a multi-OS approach to trusted computer systems.