Security kernel

In telecommunication, the term security kernel has the following meanings:


 * 1) In computer and communications security, the central part of a computer or communications system hardware, firmware, and software that implements the basic security procedures for controlling access to system resources.
 * 2) A self-contained usually small collection of key security-related statements that (a) works as a part of an operating system to prevent unauthorized access to, or use of, the system and (b) contains criteria that must be met before specified programs can be accessed.
 * 3) Hardware, firmware, and software elements of a trusted computing base that implement the reference monitor concept.