KERNEL (OPERATING SYSTEM KERNEL)
Discover the definition of the term Kernel (Operating System Kernel) presented by Les Assises de la Cybersécurité.
KERNEL (OPERATING SYSTEM KERNEL)
The kernel of an operating system is the holy of holies: it is the code responsible for organizing the functioning of all the other elements of the system, and in particular for ensuring their access to memory and hardware.
The kernel therefore has the highest rights on the system (essentially absolute rights), and is therefore a prime target for hackers. This is why recent operating systems implement specific protection techniques for access to the kernel. However, once malicious code is able to access the kernel, it is essentially game over for defenders, as it is then able to defeat many security solutions.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that illegitimate access to the kernel is a serious glitch.
