Clear-NDR-ISO
Clear NDR Community is a Linux distribution built on Suricata for network detection and response (NDR) monitoring. It provides an ISO-based deployment with a management GUI and is maintained by Stamus Networks as a rebranded evolution of the earlier SELKS project.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | StamusNetworks/Clear-NDR-ISO |
| Owner | StamusNetworks |
| Primary language | Shell |
| License | GPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.6k |
| Forks | 289 |
| Open issues | 218 |
| Latest release | selks-10.0 (2024-06-12) |
| Last updated | 2025-09-13 |
| Source | https://github.com/StamusNetworks/Clear-NDR-ISO |
What Clear-NDR-ISO is
A Debian-based live ISO distribution that bundles Suricata IDS/IPS with a web UI and configuration management via stamusctl. Built with shell scripts and live-build tooling, it targets network security teams performing threat hunting and intrusion detection on Linux platforms.
Get the Clear-NDR-ISO source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/StamusNetworks/Clear-NDR-ISO.gitcd Clear-NDR-ISO# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Build environment requires Debian 11+ and sudo access; plan for dependency installation via install-deps.sh and ISO build time on moderately resourced hardware.
- Suricata rule tuning and network interface configuration will be necessary; baseline detector configuration is community-maintained and may require customization for your traffic patterns.
- Management GUI and configuration are handled by stamusctl; familiarize your team with the separate stamusctl-templates repository and CLI/API for repeatable deployments.
- Headless (no-desktop) builds are available; select based on deployment target (server vs. workstation) and resource constraints.
- Issue reporting and ongoing maintenance flow through the stamusctl repository, not this ISO repository; track both projects for updates and bug fixes.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Proprietary/Closed-Source Detection Rules Required — Clear NDR relies on Suricata's open detection engine. If your organization mandates licensed commercial IDS signatures, evaluate commercial NDR platforms instead.
- Deep Cloud-Native Integration Needed — The ISO is designed for traditional Linux deployments. Kubernetes, serverless, or multi-cloud orchestration require custom containerization and configuration not natively supported.
- Minimal Operational Overhead Desired — Maintenance includes kernel updates, Suricata rule tuning, and stamusctl configuration management. Fully managed/SaaS NDR solutions reduce operational burden.
- Enterprise Support & SLAs Mandatory — This is a community-driven open-source distribution. Commercial support contracts and guaranteed response times are not stated; contact Stamus Networks for commercial offerings.
License & commercial use
GPL-3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0). All source code, build scripts, and ISO components are subject to GPL-3.0 copyleft terms. Derivative distributions and modifications must preserve GPL-3.0 licensing.
GPL-3.0 permits commercial use, but mandates: (1) source code disclosure of any modifications, (2) GPL-3.0 licensing of derivatives, and (3) preservation of copyright/license notices. Using the ISO unmodified for internal threat monitoring is permitted; redistributing or embedding modified versions requires GPL-3.0 compliance. For commercial NDR support, SLAs, or proprietary licensing, contact Stamus Networks directly—this community distribution does not include commercial terms.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Clear NDR is an open-source intrusion detection distribution; security posture depends on (1) upstream Suricata stability and rule quality, (2) timely Debian/kernel security patches, (3) network isolation of the NDR appliance, and (4) access control to the management GUI. No formal security audit, CVE process, or vulnerability disclosure policy is stated. Users should monitor Suricata and Debian advisories. The GPL-3.0 source transparency aids community audit but does not guarantee absence of vulnerabilities.
Alternatives to consider
Zeek (formerly Bro)
Open-source network analysis framework with different detection philosophy (event-driven vs. signature-based); suitable for organizations preferring behavioral analysis or protocol dissection over rule-based IDS.
Snort (community/open-source edition)
Competing open-source IDS with commercial support options from Cisco; larger ecosystem and rule library, but different configuration and deployment model.
Managed/SaaS NDR with AI/ML detection, 24/7 support, and commercial SLAs; higher cost but reduced operational overhead and faster threat response.
Build on Clear-NDR-ISO with DEV.co software developers
Build and deploy Clear NDR Community for your network security operations. Review the ISO build process, configure stamusctl for your environment, and start threat hunting today.
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Clear-NDR-ISO FAQ
Can I modify Clear NDR and redistribute it?
Where do I report bugs or request features?
Is commercial support available?
What Suricata rules are included?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If Clear-NDR-ISO is part of your open-source observability roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Ready to Deploy Open-Source NDR?
Build and deploy Clear NDR Community for your network security operations. Review the ISO build process, configure stamusctl for your environment, and start threat hunting today.