Expanding Docker Hardened Images: Secure Helm Charts for Deployments

Posted Sep 29, 2025

Development teams are under growing pressure to secure their software supply chains. Teams need trusted images, streamlined deployments, and compliance-ready tooling from partners they can rely on long term. Our customers have made it clear that they’re not just looking for one-off vendors. They’re looking for true security partners across development and deployment.

That’s why we are now offering Helm charts in the Docker Hardened Images (DHI) Catalog. These charts simplify Kubernetes deployments and make Docker a trusted security partner across the development and deployment lifecycle.

Bringing security and simplicity to Helm deployments

Helm charts are the most popular way to package and deploy applications to Kubernetes, with 75% of users preferring to use them, according to CNCF surveys. With security incidents making headlines more often, confidence now depends on having security and traceability built into every deployment.

Helm charts in the DHI Catalog make it simple to deploy hardened images to production Kubernetes environments. Teams no longer need to worry about insecure configurations, unverified sources, or vulnerable dependencies. Each chart is built with our hardened build system, providing signed provenance and clear traceability so you know exactly what you are deploying every time.

Supporting customers in the wake of Broadcom changes

Broadcom recently announced changes to Bitnami’s distribution model. Most images and charts have moved into a commercial subscription, older versions are archived without updates, and only a limited set of :latest tags remain free for use.

For teams affected by this change, Docker offers a clear path forward:

  • Free Docker Official Images, which can be paired with upstream Helm charts for stable, open source deployments
  • Docker Hardened Images with Helm charts in the DHI Catalog for enterprise-grade security and compliance

Many teams have relied on Bitnami for images and charts. Helm charts in the DHI Catalog now give teams the option to partner with Docker for secure, compliant deployments, with consistent coverage from development through deployment.

If your team is evaluating alternatives, we invite you to join the beta program. Sign up through our interest form to test Helm charts in the DHI Catalog and help guide their development.

What Helm charts in the DHI Catalog offer

Helm charts in the DHI Catalog are available today in beta. Beta offerings are early versions of future functionality that give customers the opportunity to test, validate, and share feedback. Your input directly shapes how we refine these charts before general availability.

The Helm charts in the DHI Catalog include:

  • DHI by default: Every chart automatically references Docker Hardened Images, ensuring deployments inherit DHI’s security, compliance, and SLA-backed patching without manual intervention.
  • Regular updates: New upstream versions and DHI CVE fixes automatically flow into chart releases.
  • Enterprise-grade security: Charts are built with our SLSA Level 3 build system and include signed provenance for compliance.
  • Customer-driven roadmap: We are guided by your feedback, so your input has a direct impact on what we prioritize.

Docker’s Trusted Image Catalogs: DHI and more

It’s worth noting that whether you’re looking for community continuity or enterprise-grade assurance, Docker has you covered:

Docker Official Images (DOI)

Docker Hardened Images (DHI)

Free and widely available

Enterprise-ready

Maintained with upstream communities

Minimal, non-root by default, near-zero CVEs

Billions of pulls every month

SLA-backed with fast CVE patching

Stable, trustworthy foundation

Compliance-ready with signed provenance and SBOMs

Together, DOI and DHI give organizations choice: a free, stable foundation for development, or an enterprise-grade hardened catalog with charts for production. If you rely on Docker Official Images, rest assured: they remain free, stable, and community-driven. You can rely on them for a solid foundation for your open source workloads.

Join the beta: Help shape Helm charts in the DHI Catalog

Helm charts in the DHI Catalog are now in invite-only beta as of October 2025. We are working closely with a set of customers to prioritize which charts matter most and ensure migration is smooth.

Participation is open via our interest form, and we welcome your feedback.

Sign up for the beta today! 

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