Overview
This is a repackaged software product wherein additional charges apply for Seller Premium Support. The Amazon Linux 2 instance is pre-configured and security-hardened to meet the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) standard. This hardening reduces the attack surface, improves security posture, and provides a stronger foundation than a baseline image for organizations that require higher security and compliance readiness. We include regularly updated hardened configuration packages, critical security patches, and STIG hotfixes to ensure your environment remains secure, compliant, and reliable. Along with these updates, we provide limited premium OS support to assist you with troubleshooting, optimization, and deployment guidance.
North Security is a US-based cybersecurity team located on the East Coast, specializing in Managed Security Services (MSSP) and Virtual CISO offerings for businesses. Our customers value this hardened image because it is consistently maintained with the latest STIG-compliant updates and backed by knowledgeable support. The inclusion of premium support helps organizations accelerate their production deployments while maintaining a strict security posture.
We provide support for both Linux- and Windows-based hardened operating systems, including extended support options when required. Our team has decades of combined cybersecurity experience, giving you confidence that your systems are maintained, secured, and supported by proven experts. Whether you are running mission-critical Linux servers or Windows workloads, we have the expertise to keep your hardened environment secure and running efficiently.
Please note that due to the enhanced security configuration, some features or workflows may require additional configuration or workarounds. This is expected behavior for a security-hardened image and reflects its higher security baseline compared to standard images.
We take pride in our customer service. All support tickets are responded to quickly, and we work tirelessly to ensure that our customers are fully taken care of from start to finish. Our focus is not only on security but also on helping you successfully bring your workloads into production as quickly and smoothly as possible. By choosing our hardened premium supported image, you are partnering with a trusted team that is committed to your success.
Highlights
- This hardened VM image is verified to run reliably in production and meets DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) standards. It provides a stronger, more secure foundation than baseline images. By choosing a hardened, verified image, you reduce the risk of vulnerabilities, downtime, and costly remediation.
- Benefit from direct access to our expert team for help with troubleshooting, compliance guidance, and performance optimization. We understand the unique requirements of hardened workloads and provide practical solutions to keep you running smoothly. Our team can assist you in maximizing security while ensuring compliance.
- We regularly maintain this image to include the latest STIG updates, security patches, and hotfixes, ensuring your environment remains compliant and protected over time. Combined with our limited premium OS support, you can operate with confidence knowing your system is secure, up to date, and production-ready.
Details
Unlock automation with AI agent solutions

Features and programs
Financing for AWS Marketplace purchases
Pricing
Free trial
- ...
Dimension | Cost/hour |
---|---|
t3.small Recommended | $0.36 |
t3.micro AWS Free Tier | $0.36 |
i4i.12xlarge | $3.30 |
c7a.2xlarge | $1.60 |
r5n.4xlarge | $1.60 |
p2.16xlarge | $3.30 |
r4.16xlarge | $3.30 |
m7i-flex.large | $1.60 |
m7i.24xlarge | $6.20 |
m4.large | $1.60 |
Vendor refund policy
Unfortunately, refunds are not available. Charges apply only for the hours during which the instances are actively running.
How can we make this page better?
Legal
Vendor terms and conditions
Content disclaimer
Delivery details
64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
An AMI is a virtual image that provides the information required to launch an instance. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) instances are virtual servers on which you can run your applications and workloads, offering varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. You can launch as many instances from as many different AMIs as you need.
Version release notes
Initial release of Amazon Linux 2 hardened STIG-compliant image with premium support by North Security
Additional details
Usage instructions
Using Your Hardened Amazon Linux 2 Instance
After launching your Amazon Linux 2 instance, we recommend connecting using AWS Systems Manager Session Manager (SSM) whenever possible for the most secure and managed connection method: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/session-manager.htmlÂ
If you need to connect using SSH, the default username is ec2-user. Use your private key (.pem) file and connect to the instance public IP address on port 22: ssh -i /path/to/your-key.pem ec2-user@<public-ip-address> For step-by-step instructions, see: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/AccessingInstances.htmlÂ
For security best practices, avoid exposing your hardened instance directly to the public Internet. If you must allow SSH access, configure your security group to allow connections only from your trusted IP addresses.
This image is pre-configured to meet STIG security requirements. As a result, some services or workflows may require additional configuration or workarounds to operate in a hardened environment. This is expected behavior for a security-hardened system and is part of maintaining a strong security posture.
Once connected, you can begin installing and running your applications as needed. This instance comes with premium OS support, so contact us at support@hardenedvm.com if you have any questions or need assistance.
Resources
Vendor resources
Support
Vendor support
This instance includes limited premium OS support for your hardened configuration, covering both general OS usage and security-specific troubleshooting. Additional enterprise support is available upon request, and support packages for extended assistance are also offered. You can reach us directly at support@hardenedvm.com .
AWS infrastructure support
AWS Support is a one-on-one, fast-response support channel that is staffed 24x7x365 with experienced and technical support engineers. The service helps customers of all sizes and technical abilities to successfully utilize the products and features provided by Amazon Web Services.