Which of the following is NOT a step in establishing a trusted operating system?

To establish a trusted operating system, several critical steps are typically involved to ensure the system's integrity, security, and reliability. The correct answer highlights an option that, while important for general cybersecurity practices, does not directly contribute to the foundational steps of establishing a trusted operating system.

Utilizing verifiably correct firmware and software ensures that the components running on the system are not only legitimate but have also been verified to meet security standards. Performing system hardening involves configuring the operating system to minimize vulnerabilities, which is essential in enhancing the security posture. Installing trustworthy hardware guarantees that the foundation upon which the operating system runs is secure and reliable, preventing potential hardware-level attacks.

Upgrading to the latest operating system, while beneficial for obtaining the latest security patches and features, is not inherently a step toward establishing a trusted operating system itself. It does not directly pertain to the verification and assurance processes integral to establishing trust. Hence, it is the step that stands apart from those specifically designed to ensure trustworthiness from the ground up.