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Recently launched and not yet operational, the HMS Queen Elizabeth's computers are running Windows XP.
The ship's officers defend this, claiming that the ship is secure, but the phrasing of their comments suggests that they really don't have a clue:
"It's not the system itself, of course, that's vulnerable, it's the security that surrounds it.
So the security is vulnerable?
"I want to reassure you about Queen Elizabeth, the security around its computer system is properly protected and we don't have any vulnerability on that particular score."
Apparently, where you buy your computers makes Windows XP more secure:
"The ship is well designed and there has been a very, very stringent procurement train that has ensured we are less susceptible to cyber than most."
He added: "We are a very sanitised procurement train. I would say, compared to the NHS buying computers off the shelf, we are probably better than that. If you think more Nasa and less NHS you are probably in the right place."
Didn't they learn from recent events how even air-gapped computers can be compromised?
Also covered at The Register, The Times, and The Guardian.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 28 2017, @05:49PM (3 children)
As an engineer, I've learned to stay away from oscilloscopes that run Windows. This boat has got to be orders of magnitude worse. I can just imagine them sitting dead in the water, waiting for the systems to reboot. OK for practice drills, but not if there's a real enemy.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Wednesday June 28 2017, @06:43PM
How many more years before that carrier actually has working planes? Until then, it's pretty much dead in the water, regardless of XP.
Aptly named, it's about as useful as the Queen: parade around, make an impression ... but without planes it's just a giant target needing protection, with less actual firepower than the ships protecting it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 28 2017, @08:50PM
Imagine no longer because it has already happened [wired.com]
(Score: 1) by anubi on Thursday June 29 2017, @05:44AM
I just bought a GUI panel from Saelig.... only to discover it was running Windows.
I do not know if I can trust the damned thing, or if it will wait till I am 100 miles from nowhere then insist on an internet connection.
So, I put it back in the box, and going Nextium.
When I am taking this thing 100 miles into the desert, I flat can not trust "business grade" systems on this kind of thing.
"Business grade" stuff belongs in an environment where no-one gets hurt if it fails.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]