RHEL 10: The new enterprise operating system unites AI, cloud, and advanced security

At the iconic Red Hat Summit - a three-day technology marathon held in Boston, Massachusetts - the multinational company that is already part of IBM's portfolio showcased the evolution of its enterprise operating system , known as Enterprise Linux 10 ( RHEL 10 ).

The release is primarily aimed at the professional sector, hybrid cloud, and services, without overlooking security or AI. Experts consider it the biggest advancement for Linux in over a decade.

Red Hat Linux has been around since 1995, although the real leap forward came in 2002, when Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) moved to the corporate environment, offering professional support and a subscription model . From then on, it embarked on a transformational journey, integrating the latest innovations into its OS.

“We believe the future of AI is open source. For more than a decade, we've helped our customers connect today's world to the cloud era, making open hybrid cloud the de facto operating model for enterprises around the world,” summarized Matt Hicks, CEO of Red Hat, in his presentation at the Red Hat Summit.

As enterprise IT grapples with the proliferation of hybrid environments and the imperative to integrate AI workloads, the OS must ensure agility, flexibility, and ease of management .

This new release not only reinforces Red Hat's position as a pillar of the open source ecosystem , it also provides a clear path for innovation. It goes beyond a simple update, combining enhanced security, stability, and ease of integration.

“RHEL 10 comes with four key improvements that make the difference: strengthened security, improved performance, seamless integration with the cloud, and superior compatibility with containers and development tools. In short, it offers a more agile, robust platform, ready to help businesses make the leap toward modern and efficient infrastructures,” says Jorge Payró, Red Hat country manager.

Anticipating the attacks that could come with the arrival of quantum computing , RHEL 10 is the first enterprise Linux distribution to integrate National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards for post-quantum cryptography.

Security is a critical area for any business, and the advent of quantum computing represents a supreme challenge. Many encryption systems could become obsolete in the face of its processing power. To stay ahead of the curve, post-quantum cryptography proposes new methods to resist future attacks.

"This includes quantum-resistant algorithms and post-quantum signature schemes to validate the integrity of software packages and TLS certificates. This initiative ensures that data encryption and authentication remain reliable in the computing age," explains Gilson Magalhães, vice president and general manager for Latin America.

An IDC report cited by Red Hat indicates that more than 60% of organizations face operational risks due to a lack of trained personnel to manage their networks. RHEL 10 incorporates Lightspeed, a generative AI interface integrated into the command line that helps execute complex tasks.

Designed for both experts and beginners, RHEL 10 simplifies system management and bridges the skills gap, making Linux administration more accessible and efficient, even in complex or resource-constrained environments.

Its mission is to help translate complex instructions, detect errors, recommend commands, and execute common tasks without having to consult external documentation. "Now, Linux facilitates tasks ranging from diagnosing and resolving common problems to best practices for managing complex IT environments," Payró points out.

Another new feature is the so-called "image mode," a container-native approach that unifies the construction, deployment, and management of both the OS and applications into a single workflow. This helps reduce configuration discrepancies, prevent patch errors, and establish best practices for both developers and system administrators.

Company executives point out that the OS is no longer limited to the kernel, boot, and drivers. It's now a dynamic, intelligent, secure, and automatable platform, capable of adapting to the environment, growing with the business, and preparing for risks that haven't yet emerged.

“With RHEL 10, we're helping organizations face the present while preparing for what's next. What was once a technical foundation is now also a strategic foundation,” said Gunnar Hellekson, vice president at Red Hat.

The best way to leverage its full potential is through collaboration. While the company provides the technological foundation—solutions, architecture, and support—it's the partners who best understand each client's specific challenges and objectives, thanks to their closeness to the business.

It is precisely in this connection that the concept of co-creation makes sense, a form of collaborative work in which Red Hat and its partners combine experience and knowledge to design tailored solutions.

"I have the technology, but I don't know the business goals. I don't understand how the client is going to think about using this technology to make a difference. From that, a dialogue, an exchange, the possibility of co-creation emerges, giving rise to a new world of possibilities for both the business and the technology," Magalhães warns.

The key, as is the case with many ventures, is not to acquire a pre-packaged product that promises universal results but fails to adapt to the client's needs when implemented. The key is to build tailored solutions, in collaboration with those who understand the client's specific context and objectives.

“Our challenge lies in adding value, identifying obstacles, and that's where the issue of co-creation begins. We don't sell a one-size-fits-all commodity. We need to understand what problem we're trying to solve with our software, and to do that, we have to adapt it,” explains Mariela Arce, director of marketing and communications for Red Hat in the Southern Cone.

RHEL 10 is no longer an operating system, like Windows. It's more of an AI-driven platform, designed for the hybrid cloud and based on image-based models. According to the company, it's "a platform for what's next."

But as with any new development, there's a period of adaptation, so the company constantly monitors its clients' progress to see how the software is evolving. Many companies still have incompatible applications, while others need to update their systems to ensure proper operation in the new environment.

"There's a whole service area that supports this transition, and that's what we do as marketing development. We support clients, provide training, and update certifications to advise and answer any questions," Arce emphasizes.