Keeping your Ubuntu systems up-to-date is a non-negotiable step in securing your infrastructure. Yet, many organizations struggle with manual patching, delayed updates, and downtime concerns. In this blog, we’ll explore how to automate Ubuntu security updates using unattended-upgrades, its limitations, and how advanced solutions like SecOps Solution can take patch management to the next level — all without installing agents or interrupting workflows.

What Is unattended-upgrades?

unattended-upgrades is a built-in tool in Ubuntu that automates the installation of security updates. It’s especially useful for systems where regular updates are necessary but manual intervention is limited.

Key Features:

• Installs security updates without user interaction.
• Optionally supports package blacklist/whitelist.
• Sends email notifications after updates.
• Creates detailed logs for auditing.
• Reduces the window of exposure to known vulnerabilities.

How to Install and Configure unattended-upgrades

Step 1: Install the Package

sudo apt update
sudo apt install unattended-upgrades

Step 2: Enable Automatic Updates

Edit the config file:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure --priority=low unattended-upgrades

Or manually edit:

sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades

Set:

APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1";
APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "1";

Step 3: Customize the Behavior

Edit the main configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades

You can:

• Whitelist/blacklist packages.
• Enable automatic reboot if required:

Unattended-Upgrade::Automatic-Reboot "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Automatic-Reboot-Time "02:00";

Step 4: Monitor Logs

cat /var/log/unattended-upgrades/unattended-upgrades.log

Limitations of unattended-upgrades

While effective for automating security updates, unattended-upgrades has limitations:

For growing teams or enterprises managing dozens or hundreds of Ubuntu systems, you need something more scalable, secure, and smart.

Enter SecOps Solution: Agentless Patch Management for Ubuntu

SecOps Solution provides a centralized, agentless patch management platform that goes beyond the limitations of traditional tools like unattended-upgrades.

Why SecOps Solution Is Better for Ubuntu Patching:

Agentless Deployment

• No need to install any agent on Ubuntu machines.
• Uses secure protocols like SSH for patch orchestration.

Smart Patch Intelligence

• Automatically prioritizes patches based on CVSS, EPSS, and exploit likelihood.
• Filters out low-priority updates and focuses on critical vulnerabilities.

Centralized Visibility

• Unified dashboard showing patch status across all Ubuntu systems.
• Real-time reports and compliance mapping (e.g., CIS, ISO 27001, NIST).

Pre-patch Simulation and Testing

• Simulates patch outcomes before actual deployment.
• Prevents breakages by highlighting dependencies and known conflicts.

Automated Scheduling

• Set patch windows and reboot policies that align with your operations.
• Ideal for production environments and 24/7 servers.

Compliance-First

• Supports patching aligned with compliance standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.
• Generates detailed audit trails for regulators and auditors.

unattended-upgrades vs. SecOps Solution

Final Thoughts

unattended-upgrades is a great starting point for automating security updates on Ubuntu, especially for personal use or small teams. But as your infrastructure scales, and compliance demands grow, it starts to fall short.

That’s where SecOps Solution steps in — offering agentless, intelligent, and automated patch management that fits seamlessly into modern security operations.

‍

SecOps Solution is a Full-stack Patch and Vulnerability Management Platform that helps organizations identify, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in seconds.‍‍

To learn more, get in touch.