CloudLinux Simplifies & Enhances Linux Security with its TuxCare Unified Enterprise Support Services

CloudLinux, the sponsor of the forever-free AlmaLinux OS enterprise Linux distribution, is now automating, simplifying and securing Linux operations with its TuxCare unified enterprise support services.

An expansion of CloudLinux’s KernelCare and Extended Lifecycle Support brands, Tuxcare provides comprehensive, fully-managed support, maintenance, and security for enterprise Linux systems, empowering businesses with greater flexibility, reduced maintenance costs and enhanced security. LinuxSecurity researchers spoke with CloudLinux President and Chief Revenue Officer Jim Jackson to gain further insight into how TuxCare is revolutionizing Linux security for the enterprise. This article will explore the services that TuxCare provides to optimize the level of security and convenience that business experience using Linux. 

Making Linux Enterprise-Grade with Fully-Managed Security, Maintenance & Support Services

Linux is generally regarded as the most secure OS for businesses due to its open-source roots, the strict user privilege model that the OS employs, the high level diversity seen in Linux environments and the selection of security technologies built into the Linux kernel. That being said, secure Linux administration is a significant challenge that many organizations face, and unpatched systems frequently result in damaging, expensive data breaches and compliance issues for businesses. The majority of attacks on Linux servers can be attributed to unpatched vulnerabilities, misconfigurations and poor system administration. Jim Jackson, CloudLInux President and Chief Revenue Officer, explains, “Linux by its very nature is transparent, which is a good thing because, due to constant research and testing it undergoes, the community is in a sense ‘self-healing’. On the flip side, malicious actors also know about vulnerabilities at the same time users do and they act quickly to build and deploy exploits. This is why rapid patching of vulnerabilities once they are discovered is especially critical to Linux security.” Jackson elaborates, “Every hour between the time a CVE is published, and a system affected by that CVE is unpatched, is a serious risk window. Furthermore, in most cases if your unpatched window exceeds 30 days your organization fails to comply with generally accepted security standards.” Luckily, maintaining a secure, updated Linux system is now simpler and more foolproof than ever with the introduction of TuxCare.

Through a unique combination of Live Patching Services, Extended Lifecycle Support and Linux Support Services, TuxCare ensures that enterprise Linux systems remain updated, available and compliant. With TuxCare Live Patching Services, Linux kernels, libraries, databases, virtualizations and IoT devices receive ongoing vulnerability scanning and automated security updates applied in memory during runtime with zero disruptions - keeping systems secure and compliant without sacrificing productivity.

Extended Lifecycle Support services allow enterprises to migrate to the newest version of their Linux distribution when they are ready, without the security risks associated with running an end-of-life distribution - namely, vulnerabilities, reliability issues and compliance risks. As part of TuxCare’s unified support, this service quickly delivers patches for critical CVEs right after the CVE goes public, and includes regular kernel updates as well as updates for critical packages including Apache, PHP, MySQL, Glibc and OpenSSL/SSH.

TuxCare’s Linux Support Services offer a range of flexible, vendor-independent support designed to keep all components of enterprises’ production Linux systems continuously updated and secure. These services are highly customizable, and include expert around-the-clock incident support, as well as specialized consulting services. Jackson explains the benefits associated with TuxCare’s distribution-neutral approach to Linux support, “Our vendor-independent position uniquely enables us to see security vulnerabilities and bugs which affect any and all popular distributions in use by our customers and how they affect each one individually, and use this information to enhance the protection we provide.” He elaborates, “Adopting TuxCare services allows our customers to reduce support and maintenance costs and avoid specific vendor lock-in. They can run multiple distributions in their infrastructure, or migrate between different distributions, knowing that TuxCare supports and protects them all equally and in the same manner.”

Next Steps 

With the release of its TuxCare unified enterprise support services, CloudLinux seeks to raise awareness of the importance of investing in quality Linux support that ensures systems remain updated and secure - mitigating the risk of breaches and compliance issues with services such as ongoing vulnerability scanning and live patching. Jackson reflects, “At CloudLinux, we just hate to see unpatched systems. It runs deep in the culture of our team. Thus, driving awareness of the services available in TuxCare at surprisingly affordable prices is one of our most important tasks at the moment. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions, and tell all of your friends and associates about TuxCare.”

About CloudLinux

CloudLinux is on a mission to continually increase security, stability and availability of Linux servers and devices. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, CloudLinux Inc. develops a hardened Linux distribution, Linux kernel live security patching, extended support options for Linux, and web server security software used by enterprises, service providers, governments and universities all over the world.

CloudLinux has more than 4,000 customers and partners, more than 800,000 product installations globally, and dedicated analysts and developers that together have more than 450 years' worth of Linux experience along with a passion for delivering the best customer care.

Jim Jackson is President and Chief Revenue Officer at CloudLinux, Inc., with over 30 years of experience in software and services development, marketing, sales, and business operations in sectors including security, disaster recovery and data protection, big data and business intelligence, telecommunications, and mission-critical systems. He had successful leadership experiences at Symantec, VERITAS Software, AT&T, ARES Corp, Verizon, Teradata, and Hughes Aircraft. At CloudLinux, he provides executive leadership for all go-to-market activities, including sales, business development, marketing, and customer success on a worldwide basis.