Ubuntu Pro for Devices – Meeting CRA Compliance

Building Cyber-Resilient Systems in a Regulated Future

As the European Union's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) reshapes the security responsibilities of hardware and software manufacturers, the demand for a trusted, long-term supported operating system becomes urgent. Organizations must ensure their systems are securely designed, continuously patched, and transparently managed. Ubuntu Pro for Devices, developed by Canonical, can simplify your vulnerability management and long-term support efforts to comply with the CRA. Ubuntu Pro for Devices delivers 10 years of Ubuntu Universe security maintenance, including Landscape for vulnerability management and patching and Livepatch for patching the kernel without reboot.

Introduction: CRA and the Rise of Regulatory Cybersecurity

The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act establishes mandatory cybersecurity standards across the lifecycle of digital products. Among its core mandates are:

• Handle vulnerabilities for at least 5 years or a product’s shorter lifetime.
• Keep issued security updates downloadable for up to 10 years.
• Proactive vulnerability monitoring and reporting.
• Secure system configuration and cryptography.
  
• Incident response and transparency.

These requirements apply to a broad range of connected devices, software-based products, and embedded systems, from edge nodes and medical devices to industrial automation and mission-critical systems.

Ubuntu Pro for Devices aligns natively with these goals, helping developers, integrators, and manufacturers achieve CRA compliance without overhauling their infrastructure.

Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) for up to 10 Years

Benefits: Reduces lifecycle risk, eliminates maintenance gaps, and supports long-term support contracts.

Ubuntu Pro for Devices covers more than 25,000 packages across the Main and Universe repositories, bringing security patching to applications, libraries, and infrastructure components.

• CRA support alignment: Exceeds the mandatory support period of 5 years (or the product’s shorter lifecycle).
• CRA vulnerability management: Provides tools for scanning packages automatically for vulnerable versions and creating reports for your fleet of devices through Landscape.
• Applications: Secures systems handling sensitive operations - such as smart city platforms, health monitors, and AI gateways - well into the future.

Automated Hardening via Ubuntu Security Guide (USG)

Benefit: Streamlines CRA-mandated secure development and system documentation, essential for product certification and audits.

Ubuntu Pro for Devices includes the Ubuntu Security Guide, a tooling framework that automates system hardening based on recognized benchmarks like CIS and DISA-STIG.

• Generates remediation scripts and compliance reports.
• Reduces attack surfaces through secure default configurations.

Dynamic Updates for Vulnerability Management and Disclosure

Benefits: Enables responsive incident reporting and transparent vulnerability handling across distributed systems.

Canonical delivers machine-readable CVE feeds, rapid patching (usually within 24 hours for critical issues), and integrates with other vulnerability assessment tools.

• Supports CRA’s disclosure and reporting requirements.
• Allows automated monitoring in supply chain environments.

Reader's Notes

What is the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)?

The CRA is a European Union legislation that aims to make Products with Digital Elements (PDEs) safer by requiring developers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to follow mandatory cybersecurity, documentation, and vulnerability reporting requirements. The CRA extends this protection throughout the product life cycle.

Failing to meet the CRA's requirements carries penalties and fines, of up to €15 million or 2.5% of your worldwide annual turnover (whichever is highest) depending on the seriousness of your violation.

The CRA will be fully enforced by 2027.

Summary

The Cyber Resilience Act introduces rigorous standards for cybersecurity across the EU, and Ubuntu Pro for Devices offers an enterprise-ready pathway to help device makers meet these standards. Through extended security maintenance, automation tools for hardening and compliance, and transparent vulnerability management, Ubuntu Pro for Devices allows industrial and factory operators, healthcare IT infrastructure departments and robotics developers to align with the CRA while remaining agile and innovating.

As compliance becomes an operational priority, Ubuntu Pro for Devices isn't just a Linux platform, it's a strategic security asset designed to meet tomorrow's regulatory demands today.

You can download the Edge Computing & Edge AI Software Solutions eBook which covers our Domain-Driven Software and Service Blueprint catalog: https://www.advantech.com/en/form/12fd3f60-e11a-46ff-b102-038ed9c13b4d

Learn more about Ubuntu Pro for Devices: https://www.advantech.com/en/campaign/Ubuntu-Services