Sold by: Citadel Security
Deployed on AWS
AWS Free Tier
A hardened installation of Microsoft Windows Server 2016 that is updated quarterly. Premium support for the operating system is included.
Overview
This security-focused, hardened AMI of Microsoft Windows Server 2016 is preconfigured by Citadel to the recommendations of CIS and DevSec Benchmarks. This image has been hardened by Citadel and is configured with the majority of the recommendations of the Level 1 Profile settings within the CIS Benchmark for Microsoft Windows Server 2016.
Citadel believes that security is essential and must be foundation to any organization running their workloads in the cloud. Cloud environments and operating systems are not secure by default. Launching an image hardened according to the trusted security configuration baselines will reduce cost, time, and risk to an organization.
Please note that this is the default hardened Microsoft Windows Server 2016 AMI that our security professionals recommend. Citadel provides ongoing security and maintenance updates on a quarterly basis to all instances running this Microsoft Windows Server 2016 AMI.
Highlights
- Hardened with industry standard frameworks - Using CIS Level 1 Benchmark and DevSec that is developed in a consensus-based process and is accepted by all types of organizations.
- Secure Configuration - The configuration of the AMI enhances security by focusing on two main security goals: limiting access and reducing software vulnerabilities.
- Premium support included. This AMI is updated and maintained quarterly by Citadel.
Details
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Delivery method
Delivery option
64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Latest version
Operating system
Win 2016
Deployed on AWS
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Pricing
Pricing is based on actual usage, with charges varying according to how much you consume. Subscriptions have no end date and may be canceled any time. Alternatively, you can pay upfront for a contract, which typically covers your anticipated usage for the contract duration. Any usage beyond contract will incur additional usage-based costs.
Additional AWS infrastructure costs may apply. Use the AWS Pricing Calculator to estimate your infrastructure costs.
If you are an AWS Free Tier customer with a free plan, you are eligible to subscribe to this offer. You can use free credits to cover the cost of eligible AWS infrastructure. See AWS Free Tier for more details. If you created an AWS account before July 15th, 2025, and qualify for the Legacy AWS Free Tier, Amazon EC2 charges for Micro instances are free for up to 750 hours per month. See Legacy AWS Free Tier for more details.
Dimension | Cost/hour |
|---|---|
m5.large Recommended | $0.175 |
t2.micro | $0.09 |
t3.micro | $0.09 |
c4.xlarge | $0.175 |
g4dn.4xlarge | $0.175 |
c5d.12xlarge | $0.175 |
t3a.nano | $0.09 |
i3en.24xlarge | $0.175 |
m5a.2xlarge | $0.175 |
c5d.9xlarge | $0.175 |
Dimensions summary
You pay by the hour for this hardened Windows Server image, billed per running instance. Each dimension maps to a specific AWS EC2 instance type, so your rate depends on the machine you launch. Smaller instances like t3.nano and t2.micro carry lower hourly software fees, while large or specialized types such as u-24tb1.metal, x1e.32xlarge, and GPU-backed g4dn and p3 instances carry higher rates. Compute, memory, storage, and accelerated families are all covered. You match the instance to your workload, and AWS infrastructure charges apply separately from this software fee.
Top-of-mind questions for buyers
The software fee meters running instance-hours only. A fully stopped or powered-off instance does not accrue the hourly software charge. Underlying AWS storage fees for the attached volume may still apply while the instance is stopped, since those charges are separate from this software fee.
Each dimension maps to one AWS EC2 instance type. Your hourly rate is set by the instance type you launch, not by CPU or memory usage inside it. One running instance accrues one hourly software fee per hour, in addition to separate AWS infrastructure charges for that instance.
Your software fee follows the instance type you run. Launching a compute, memory, storage, or accelerated family changes your hourly rate to that type's dimension. Stopping one instance and starting another means you pay each type's rate only for the hours it runs. There is no upfront commitment.
citadelpci.com
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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
Updated release of Citadel supported AMI.
Additional details
Usage instructions
After you launch your instance, you can connect to it and use it the way that you'd use a computer sitting in front of you. Further instructions available here: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/WindowsGuide/EC2_GetStarted.html
Resources
Vendor resources
Support
Vendor support
Support is part of what you get with a Citadel image, and it comes from a US-based team that works on these builds every day. Email support@citadelpci.com with anything - choosing the right image, how the hardening behaves, patching and releases, evidence for a PCI DSS review, or a question you are not sure who else to ask. We read every message, and we would much rather you ask than guess. More about how we work with customers:
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.
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This product has charges associated with the pre-built hardening to the CIS Benchmarks™ and recurring maintenance. The CIS Hardened Images® are hardened in accordance with the associated CIS Benchmarks, an industry best practice for secure configuration. Reduce cost, time, and risk by building your AWS solution with CIS AMIs.
This product has charges associated with the pre-built hardening to the CIS Benchmarks™ and recurring maintenance. The CIS Hardened Images® are hardened in accordance with the associated CIS Benchmarks, an industry best practice for secure configuration. Reduce cost, time, and risk by building your AWS solution with CIS AMIs.
STIG-hardened Windows Server 2016 image
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