Trusted Operating System or Secure Operating System - technical definition

The basis of this terminology is that clients can place their trust in the people and in the organization operating a trusted system. Technically, a trusted or secure operating system refers to one labeled as “hardened OS” or “trusted OS.” Although the primary objective of both of these is to provide a secure operating environment, each takes a different approach for meeting this objective.

Whereas a hardened operating system is one that has been locked down to prevent attacks, a trusted operating system manages data to make sure that it cannot be altered or moved and that it can be viewed only by persons having appropriate and authorized access rights.

See Also: Trust; Operating System Software.