Ubuntu Pro Minimal 20.04 LTS combines the reduced footprint of Ubuntu Minimal with Ubuntu Pro’s advanced security and long-term maintenance. Built for automated pipelines, immutable images and large-scale deployments on Azure, it minimises the attack surface and update overhead while retaining the ability to add exactly the packages you need.

Key Features:

• Minimal footprint: Greatly reduced default package set for smaller images, faster boot and fewer updates over time. Not intended for interactive use; essentials (e.g., ssh, apt, snapd) remain for customisation.
• Kernel Livepatch: Apply critical kernel fixes at run time without reboots to minimise downtime.
• Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM): Security updates for thousands of open-source packages beyond main, supporting security and governance at scale.
• Up to 12 years of security updates: Long-term coverage with a predictable upgrade path for enterprise workloads.
• Compliance & hardening tooling: Access Ubuntu Security Guide (USG) to assist with CIS and DISA-STIG baselines when you choose to apply them.
• Azure-ready: Built and tested for Azure with platform optimisations and compatibility with Azure management tooling.

If you require enterprise technical support for your Ubuntu instances, please contact us.

Additional Resources:

• Ubuntu on Azure Documentation
• Ubuntu Pro on Azure Datasheet
• Ubuntu on Azure Blog Updates