Today we have learned the answer to the rumors that had arisen in recent weeks, indicating that the next versions of Intel processors, would still carry the current structure and therefore should continue to be patched for some time.
Nothing could be further from reality, a few hours ago, Brian Krzanich, the current CEO of Intel, announced that the upcoming Xeon Scalable processors that will be presented soon, as well as the 8th generation range of processors, they will come with the pertinent structure and component correction to deal with the Specter and Meltdown vulnerabilities, leaving aside other rumors.
Specter has three variants. Number 1 must be countered with software measures. On the other hand, both variant 2 and 3 allow new hardware designs, protect future processors. Recall that the greatest problem with software-only processing involves loss of performance. Although it is true, there have not been significant decreases, or at least users have not complained excessively.
We have redesigned parts of the processor to introduce new levels of protection through partitions that will protect us against variants 2 and 3. The user should think of this partition as additional "protection walls" between applications and user privilege levels for create an obstacle for bad actors.
What Intel has not transmitted through Brian Krzanich is the date from which the new processors are available. In any case, we can rely on Intel's forecast made months ago. The Xeon Scalable and its 8th generation Intel Core processors will begin their distribution to manufacturers in the second half of 2018.
Regarding the protection of current processors, Intel ensures that you are 100% protected at this stage. That if, it is necessary that the computers are with the latest available version of their operating system.
Krzanich stressed that the company's priorities are based on the urgent commitment to address any vulnerability, transparent communications and a constant security plan.
