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this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2023
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Unfortunately a lot of our core tools don't have supported linux client software, SCADA clients and power flow/transmission grid simulation etc, but we also aren't a business so it's more about what gets the job done since we're basically mandated to do what we do.
That's a perfect application for VMs. But either way, both Windows and Linux are just tools. For what I do, Linux is a better fit 95% of the time, and the last 5% I find alternative solutions. I don't want to be bothered to maintain another OS for some edge cases when I can get by with alternatives. The only thing I use Windows for right now (personally or professionally) is BlueIris, and even that is really wearing thin. Both the Windows OS is causing issues and BlueIris is just... bad.
We run virtual workstations and terminal servers for specific purposes, but a lot of our decisions are guided by NERC CIP standards and where certain things fall within that framework. The Windows workstations are probably the easiest part of this whole environment to manage though. It's realtime data and all the applications linked to that where the complicated stuff is. If it was up to me we'd be a Kubernetes shop.
I would hazard a guess that this is more of a "safe-bet" thing rather than a hard policy. I tried looking up anything that stipulates using Windows over any other OSes, and this Software Integrity and Authenticity is the only thing I could find with a five minute search.
Microsoft Windows provides such a mechanism for Microsoft signed software through its default configuration and through a Group Policy Object (GPO) that expands this capability to other trusted third parties.
It doesn't make sense that you wouldn't be able to use Linux, unless the higher-ups making the decisions are your classic dinosaurs that still believe Microsoft's propaganda from the 2000's about the scary "communist" Linux OS and the dangerous open-source programs that will steal your company secrets.
Nah it's because some core apps are not supported by the vendors on non-Windows OSs and adding an extra layer just to run Windows apps virtually/remotely when we could run them on workstations is unnecessary.