Verano, a company that sells software for controlling everything from power plants to factories, is embracing Linux, along with security features that the U.S. National Security Agency added to the operating system.

Verano currently sells software based on Windows and on versions of Unix, but believes customers are now moving toward Linux, a sign of the gradual maturing of the operating system. The NSA-augmented version of Linux, called SELinux has tamper-proofing features useful for critical facilities that must resist attacks launched over computer networks.

"Because of the emphasis IBM has placed on Linux, followed by HP and even Sun, (customers) have naturally started considering Linux," said Pan Kamal, vice president of marketing. He expects the software will be in use controlling important infrastructure such as water-pumping systems "probably within 12 months, maybe sooner."

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