Choose two or three systems and compare consistent, editorially reviewed information.
| Feature | SIFT Workstation | Ubuntu | Debian GNU/Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | OVA updated 2026-04-24 | 26.04.1 LTS | 13.7 |
| Base | ubuntu | debian | independent |
| Family | ubuntu | ubuntu | debian |
| System type | linux distribution | linux distribution | linux distribution |
| Release model | stable | lts | stable |
| Architectures | x86_64 | x86_64,arm64,ppc64le,s390x | amd64,arm64,armhf,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x |
| Desktop | Not applicable or user selected | GNOME | Not applicable or user selected |
| Use cases | security, forensics, incident-response | desktop, server, beginner, enterprise | desktop, server, advanced |
| Available images | Official project page | desktop, server | minimal, desktop |
| Editorial review | 2026-10-16 | 2026-09-03 | 2026-09-03 |
SIFT Workstation is a SANS collection of digital-forensics and incident-response tools. The official page offers an OVA virtual appliance, last updated on 24 April 2026, and publishes its SHA-256 hash. Downloading the appliance requires a SANS account; use the official page to sign in. SIFT can also be installed on a compatible Ubuntu system. It is not a bootable ISO. The separate experimental Protocol SIFT project is not the core workstation.
View downloads Official websiteUbuntu is a Debian-derived distribution developed by Canonical and its community for desktops, servers, cloud platforms and containers. Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS Resolute Raccoon is the current long-term-support desktop release and receives five years of standard security maintenance.
View downloads Official websiteDebian is an independent community distribution known for stability, an extensive package archive and support for several hardware architectures. Debian 13.6 Trixie is the current stable point release and is suitable for desktops, servers, containers and infrastructure.
View downloads Official website