Canonical launches Ubuntu Pro for Devices

New subscription for IoT deployments brings security and long term compliance to the most advanced open source stack

Nuremberg, Germany. 9 April 2024. Today, Canonical, the publisher of Ubuntu, announced the launch of Ubuntu Pro for Devices – a comprehensive offering that simplifies security and compliance for IoT device deployments. Ubuntu Pro for Devices provides 10 years of security maintenance for Ubuntu and thousands of open source packages, such as Python, Docker, OpenJDK, OpenCV, MQTT, OpenSSL, Go, and Robot Operating System (ROS). The subscription also provides device management capabilities through Landscape, Canonical’s systems management tool, and access to Real-time Ubuntu for latency-critical use cases. Ubuntu Pro for Devices is available directly from Canonical, and from a wide range of original device manufacturers (ODMs) in Canonical’s partner ecosystem, including ADLINK, AAEON, Advantech and DFI.

With this launch, Canonical is expanding its collaboration with ODMs as demand for open source security and compliance grows in the embedded space. Ubuntu Pro for Devices can be combined with Canonical’s existing Ubuntu Certified Hardware programme to offer a best in class Ubuntu experience on devices out-of-the-box and for up to 10 years.

A secure open source supply chain

Today, most application stacks contain open source software, but companies don’t always have the in-house expertise to secure and support their full stack. Canonical patches over 1,000 CVEs each year and provides a 10 year security maintenance commitment for popular toolchains like Python and Go, as well as commonly-used IoT software frameworks like ROS. Companies can consume secure and maintained open source with the same set of guarantees from the same vendor.

“As new legislation is introduced for IoT embedded devices, it is crucial that our customers have a means to securely maintain the operating system along with commonly used applications and dependencies”, said Ethan Chen, General Manager of the Edge Computing Platforms BU at ADLINK. “Ubuntu Pro ensures that IoT devices receive reliable security patches from a trusted source”.

Streamlined compliance

The regulatory landscape is evolving, with the EU Cyber Resilience Act and the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark resulting in a growing need for reliable, long-term access to software security fixes. Ubuntu Pro provides access to critical vulnerability fixes for most of the open source packages enterprises use, providing security coverage for developers and peace of mind for CISOs.

“Many of our customers from across different sectors are using computer vision software that requires regulatory approval. In particular, the latest US regulation makes it important to provide timely CVE fixes for all of the components used in our products. Thanks to Ubuntu Pro for Devices, this is now covered”, said Jason Huang, Director of AAEON’s UP Division.

Ubuntu Pro for Devices offers more than security patching. It also provides certified modules and hardening profiles that enable organisations to achieve compliance with standards such as FIPS, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and others.

“Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution. Many of our public sector customers in the US need FIPS compliance, and Ubuntu Pro for Devices is a perfect solution for them”, said Joe Chen, Director at Advantech.

Cost-effective and convenient fleet management

Remote device management is critical for IoT, as a lot of devices are physically inaccessible. Ubuntu Pro for Devices includes device management with Landscape, which automates security patching and audits across Ubuntu estates. Landscape allows administrators to manage their Ubuntu instances from a single portal. They can securely authenticate and add new devices to their IoT fleet, manage software versions and configurations, and monitor device performance and compliance. By grouping multiple devices together, administrators can perform these operations on numerous devices simultaneously, saving both time and effort.

“DFI leverages virtualisation technology to introduce a robust Workload Consolidation platform integrated with our embedded solutions for EV charging stations and other cutting-edge industrial applications. With the ability to use Landscape to manage devices built with DFI boards, we can now provide more reliable solutions to our customers with 10 years of security updates and streamlined fleet maintenance”, said Jarry Chang, DFI Product Center General Manager.