Docker Enhances Security with Robust Helm Charts for Deployment

As software development teams face increasing demands to secure their software supply chains, the need for trusted tools and streamlined processes has never been more critical. Ensuring compliance while fostering long-term partnerships with reliable vendors is now a priority. In response to this pressing need, there has been a significant development in the industry: Docker’s introduction of Helm charts in their Docker Hardened Images (DHI) Catalog. This move aims to simplify Kubernetes deployments and establish Docker as a dependable security partner throughout the software development and deployment lifecycle.

Enhancing Security and Ease with Helm Charts

Helm charts have emerged as the preferred method for packaging and deploying applications on Kubernetes. According to surveys conducted by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), 75% of users favor Helm as their package manager for Kubernetes. The increasing prevalence of security breaches has underscored the importance of integrating security and traceability into every deployment to bolster confidence among users.

The integration of Helm charts into the Docker Hardened Images (DHI) Catalog simplifies the deployment of secure images into production Kubernetes environments. Development teams can now rest easy, knowing they have eliminated the risk of insecure configurations, unverified sources, and vulnerable dependencies. Every Helm chart is constructed using Docker’s robust build system, ensuring signed provenance and crystal-clear traceability. This means that teams will always be aware of precisely what they are deploying.

Responding to Market Changes

Recently, Broadcom announced modifications to Bitnami’s distribution model, which included moving most images and charts to a commercial subscription. Older versions have been archived without updates, and only a limited selection of the latest tags remains available for free. This change has left many development teams in search of viable alternatives.

For those affected by Bitnami’s shift, Docker offers a promising solution. Teams can choose from:

• Free Docker Official Images: These can be combined with upstream Helm charts to create stable, open-source deployments.
• Docker Hardened Images with Helm Charts in the DHI Catalog: This option provides enterprise-grade security and compliance.

  Teams that have previously relied on Bitnami for images and charts now have the opportunity to partner with Docker for secure and compliant deployments, ensuring consistent coverage from the development phase all the way to deployment.

  Helm Charts in the DHI Catalog: What to Expect
  

  Helm charts in the Docker Hardened Images Catalog are currently available in beta. This early-stage offering allows customers to test and validate the functionality while providing valuable feedback that directly influences the refinement of these charts before they become generally available.

  Key features of Helm charts in the DHI Catalog include:

• DHI by Default: Each chart automatically references Docker Hardened Images, guaranteeing that deployments inherit DHI’s stringent security, compliance, and service-level agreement-backed patching without any manual intervention.
• Regular Updates: New upstream versions and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) fixes from DHI are seamlessly integrated into chart releases.
• Enterprise-Grade Security: Charts are constructed using Docker’s SLSA Level 3 build system and come with signed provenance to ensure compliance.
• Customer-Driven Roadmap: Docker is committed to prioritizing customer feedback, allowing users to have a direct impact on what is prioritized.
  

  Docker’s Trusted Image Catalogs: A Comprehensive Offering
  

  Docker provides a comprehensive suite of image catalogs to meet diverse needs, whether you seek community continuity or enterprise-grade assurance:

• Docker Official Images (DOI): These are free and widely accessible, maintained in collaboration with upstream communities, and downloaded billions of times each month. They provide a stable and trustworthy foundation for open-source workloads.
• Docker Hardened Images (DHI): These images are enterprise-ready, with minimal configurations, non-root by default, and nearly zero CVEs. They come with SLA-backed rapid CVE patching and signed provenance for compliance.

  Together, Docker Official Images and Docker Hardened Images offer organizations a choice: a free, stable foundation for development or an enterprise-grade hardened catalog with charts for production. Users who rely on Docker Official Images can continue to do so with confidence, knowing that they remain free, stable, and community-driven, providing a solid foundation for open-source workloads.

  Join the Beta: Shape the Future of Helm Charts in the DHI Catalog
  

  The Helm charts in the Docker Hardened Images Catalog are currently in an invite-only beta phase as of October 2025. Docker is actively collaborating with a select group of customers to prioritize the most critical charts and ensure a smooth migration process.

  Participation in the beta program is open through Docker’s interest form, and the company eagerly welcomes user feedback. By joining the beta, participants have the opportunity to shape the development and refinement of Helm charts in the DHI Catalog.

  In conclusion, as development teams face mounting pressure to secure their software supply chains, Docker’s introduction of Helm charts in the Docker Hardened Images Catalog represents a significant step forward. By simplifying Kubernetes deployments and providing a trusted security partnership, Docker is helping teams navigate the evolving landscape of software development and deployment with confidence. This initiative not only addresses current challenges but also sets the stage for continued innovation and security in the industry.

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