Anamarija Pogorelec , Managing Editor, Help Net Security February 5, 2026 Microsoft launches LiteBox, a security-focused open-source library OS Microsoft has released LiteBox, a project intended to function as a security-focused library OS that can serve as a secure kernel for protecting a guest kernel using virtualization hardware. LiteBox was developed in collaboration with the Linux Virtualization Based Security (LVBS) project. The goal is to isolate and protect a normal guest kernel by running security-critical functionality in a separate, hardened environment. Microsoft said LiteBox is implemented in Rust, a programming language often used in security-oriented software development due to its memory safety properties. The project is available for free on GitHub . Must read: 40 open-source tools redefining how security teams secure the stack Firmware scanning time, cost, and where teams run EMBA Subscribe to the Help Net Security ad-free monthly newsletter to stay informed on the essential open-source cybersecurity tools. Subscribe here! More about GitHub Microsoft open source operating system Rust