Canonical has launched the premium version of the open source Ubuntu Linux kernel on Google Cloud, offering enterprise users a suite and new features and security capabilities for their deployments. 

Ubuntu Pro on Google Cloud is available to all Google Cloud users, with the deployment allowing for instant access to all security patches covering thousands of open source apps, as well as critical compliance features. 

This premium version of the free-to-use Linux operating system focuses on enterprise and production use, providing developers and admins with secured DevOps environments, as well as additional security tools. 

Live kernel patching, for example, offers virtual machine (VM) instances increased security, while users can benefit from ten years of mission-critical support for 18.04 LTS onwards. The maintenance period of Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS is eight years.

“Enterprise customers are increasingly adopting Google Cloud to run their core business-critical and customer-facing applications,” said VP and GM for Compute at Google Cloud, June Yang.

“The availability of Ubuntu Pro on Google Cloud will offer our enterprise customers the additional security and compliance services needed for their mission-critical workloads.” 

With Ubuntu Pro, alongside all standard optimisations and security updates in Ubuntu, users can also utilise certified components to allow operating environments under various compliance regimes, including GDPR and PCI. 

Later in the year, additional features will be added such as certified FIPS 140-2 components, a security dashboard, managed apps, and more that haven’t yet been defined.

Google Cloud has partnered with Canonical in some capacity for many years, and the standard iteration of Ubuntu has been available to Google Cloud customers since 2014. 

The two platforms have worked together on Ubuntu Pro on Google Cloud, which serves as a more secure, hardened and cost-effective DevOps environment that aims to boost customers’ cloud transformation efforts.

“Since 2014, Canonical has been providing Ubuntu for Google Cloud customers. We continuously expand security coverage, great operational efficiency, and native compatibility with Google Cloud features,” said VP of Cloud GTM at Canonical, Alex Gallagher. 

“I’m excited to witness the collaboration between Canonical and Google Cloud to make Ubuntu Pro available. Ubuntu Pro on Google Cloud sets a new standard for security of operating systems and facilitates your migration to Google Cloud.”

Customers can purchase these premium images directly from Google Cloud by selecting Ubuntu Pro as the operating system directly from the Google Cloud Console.