Google today offered an interesting overview of how it secures Chrome OS. And while much of it will be very familiar to Windows users, there is one aspect to Chrome OS that is quite unique.

“The multiple security layers of Chrome OS work together as part of a cohesive security approach, including automatic updates to provide protection on a recurring basis without disrupting your work,” Google product manager David Karam explains. “Today we’re sharing a closer look at how automatic Chrome OS software updates maintain ongoing security of the platform and devices.”

Note that this post is aimed at businesses. As you may have heard, Chrome OS is starting to make inroads with Microsoft’s core customer base, and according to IDC, Chromebook growth with business was the only reason that PC sales to businesses grew at all in the last quarter.

Anyway, here’s the unique bit: Chrome OS always maintains two system images on disk at the same time, each in its own partition. That way, you can continue working while system updates are applied, with just a 6-10 second delay on the next reboot so that the second partition can be updated too.

“Essentially, Chrome OS swaps between the two images,” Karam writes. “That means there’s no waiting for the updates to be applied: You can be up and running in just seconds with new software.”

This approach has other benefits, too. IT admins will never need to schedule or otherwise micro-manage updates because these updates are both automatic and non-disruptive. (In the Microsoft sphere, we’re batting about .500 on that measure.)

Karam also describes the Chrome OS update schedule: Google ships major version updates for Chrome OS about every six weeks, with minor improvements often added in-between. But important security updates can be pushed out in 24 to 48 hours when required.

“These updates happen automatically in the background and are applied seamlessly to the backup partition,” he notes. “Additionally, all software updates are provided and pushed directly from Google, so there’s no third-party intermediary involved, further helping to speed the delivery of Chrome OS updates.”

If you’d like to learn more about Chrome OS security in businesses, Google is hosting a Chrome OS Security webinar next week.

Tagged with Chrome OS, Chromebook