Canonical focuses on security with Ubuntu Core 16 for iot

Canonical has announced Ubuntu Core 16, the stripped-down version of Ubuntu dedicated to internet-of-things applications. The new version is mainly focused on security and validating snap apps.

The announcement of version 16 follows eighteen months after that of Ubuntu Core 15. The main change concerns the ability to validate snap updates with Update Control before the updates are actually rolled out. If an update fails, it is automatically rolled back.

The adjustment should, among other things, make it easier to implement security updates. Snaps are read-only images of applications that are easy to update and whose authenticity can be guaranteed with fingerprints and signatures. Also, the parts and kernel of the Core operating system are implemented as snaps. “All Ubuntu Core devices, from all manufacturers, receive regular, free, and reliable OS security updates,” Canonical promises.

Recently, there have been a number of security vulnerabilities with Linux, such as the Bash bug and Dirty COW, while Internet-of-things devices have also been exposed to misuse in incidents. According to Canonical, Core 16 with snaps also takes up less space and other security improvements have been made.