Ubuntu Pro: Get Free 10-Year Security & Livepatches – Here’s How

Ubuntu has been a popular choice for many users for years. However, with the rise of cyberattacks, security has become a primary concern for many users, especially those running critical applications and services.

To meet the growing demand for secure and reliable Ubuntu deployments, Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, has introduced Ubuntu Pro, a subscription-based version of Ubuntu that includes additional security features and support. In this blog post, we’ll discuss Ubuntu Pro and its benefits.

What is Ubuntu Pro?

Ubuntu Pro extends the standard five-year LTS support to ten years, covers additional repositories (Universe and Multiverse), and provides advanced security features like Livepatch and access to Canonical’s ESM (Expanded Security Maintenance) for infrastructure and apps. It’s an ideal choice for anyone needing long-term stability, enhanced security, and minimal downtime for their mission-critical workloads.

Key Highlights:

• Extended Support: Get up to 10 years of security patches (vs. 5 years in standard LTS).
• Broader Coverage: Includes Universe and Multiverse repositories, not just the main OS.
• Livepatch: Apply critical kernel updates without rebooting.
• FIPS & Compliance: Ideal for regulated industries requiring strict security standards.
• FREE for Personal Use: Use Ubuntu Pro on up to five machines at no cost.

Ubuntu Pro for personal use offers full Ubuntu Pro capabilities on up to 5 machines.

Large-scale, commercial users fund the extraordinary range of security updates in Ubuntu Pro. Their subscriptions to Ubuntu Pro enable Canonical to offer this service free of charge to users who might have their own personal or small business needs. There are also discount programs for specific use cases, such as research, education, and academia.

Benefits of Ubuntu Pro

1. Extended Security Maintenance (ESM): Ubuntu Pro provides extended security updates for high and critical Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) for the Ubuntu base OS and critical infrastructure components. This coverage typically lasts for 10 years, much longer than the standard support period.
2. Patch Coverage: It includes security patches for additional repositories, including Universe, Multiverse, and Restricted, which are not usually covered under standard support.
3. Livepatch Service: With the Livepatch service, you can apply critical kernel security patches without rebooting the system, which is crucial for maintaining uptime for critical services and infrastructure.
4. Certified Components: Ubuntu Pro offers a broader set of certified components, including hardware and software, which can be crucial for compliance with certain industry standards.
5. FIPS and Common Criteria EAL Compliant: Ubuntu Pro includes cryptographic packages that are compliant with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) and have Common Criteria EAL certification, meeting strict security criteria for governmental and regulatory bodies.
6. Expanded Landscape Access: It may include expanded access to the Landscape systems management tool for easier and more scalable management of large deployments of Ubuntu systems.
7. Compliance Reporting: Pro subscribers may have access to compliance and audit tools that help to streamline certification processes for SOC2, PCI, HIPAA, and ISO.
8. Support: Ubuntu Pro typically includes access to professional support from Canonical, which can be an advantage for businesses that require guaranteed response times and direct access to experts.
9. Cloud Benefits: For cloud users, Ubuntu Pro images are optimized for performance and security on various cloud platforms (Azure, Google, AWS, etc.), providing a smooth and secure experience for cloud deployments.
10. Additional Software: Users also get access to a curated set of open-source tools, additional software, and utilities that are professionally packaged and tested.

Side-by-Side Comparison (Pro vs. Standard Ubuntu)

These benefits make Ubuntu Pro particularly well suited to businesses and professional environments where extended security and support are critical. Ubuntu generously defines ‘personal use’ as up to “5 machines for you or any business you own”.

Ubuntu Pro as a CentOS alternative?

CentOS is was a very popular choice for enterprise users because of its stability and long-term support. However, with the changes to CentOS, many users are still searching for alternatives. Ubuntu Pro provides an excellent alternative to CentOS, with its focus on security and reliability.

Ubuntu’s ESM ensures that critical packages remain up-to-date, even after their EOL date, and its enhanced security features provide added protection against cyber threats. Ubuntu Pro also has a vibrant community and ecosystem, with many third-party tools and applications that are compatible with Ubuntu.

Conclusion

Ubuntu Pro offers enhanced security and long-term support, making it an excellent choice for individuals and small business owners. Its ESM infrastructure gives you peace of mind by keeping your critical systems secure beyond their standard End of Life (EOL) dates. Plus, specialized technical support and consulting services let you fine-tune your system for maximum performance.

As an alternative to CentOS and other enterprise Linux distributions, Ubuntu Pro has carved out its own niche. It’s now very popular with cPanel users because it keeps the environment secure and stable for the very long term. For persons and businesses that require long-term support and strict security compliance, Ubuntu Pro is a no-brainer!