Feature support for Vault Enterprise

Prior to 2026, HashiCorp offered Long-Term Support (LTS) for specific Vault Enterprise releases. Starting with the April 2026 (2.x.x) release, Vault Enterprise follows the IBM Support Cycle-2 (SC2) model.

The support policy described here applies to Vault Enterprise and HCP Vault Dedicated 2.x and later. Vault 1.x releases retain their existing maintenance terms. Refer to Vault release cadence for release windows, fix availability, and upgrade planning. For HCP Vault Dedicated, version availability and upgrade timing follow the established version management guidance.

Vault versioning

Vault uses V.M.F syntax for versioning:

• V identifies a "major" release and the start of a new support lifecycle. Major releases can include breaking or architectural changes, new features, significant new code, improvements, bug fixes, and security updates or patches.

• M indicates a "minor" or "mod pack" release. Minor releases can include new functionality, security patches, and fixes to defects or security vulnerabilities.

• F indicates a "fix" release. Fix releases include security patches and bug fixes.

We strongly recommend upgrading to the latest fix release for supported major releases as soon as possible.

What is Support Cycle-2 (SC2)?

The Support Cycle 2 uses a "2 + 1 + 3" framework to determine coverage for usage support and product updates:

• 2 years of base support.
• 1 year of critical extended support.
• 3 years of sustained support, which does not include new fixes or enhancements.

The support cycle starts with the major release. Minor and patch releases do not restart or extend it. Refer to IBM Software Support Lifecycle for published dates.

The following table outlines the expected product updates and technical support coverage for each support phase.

Base Support for a major release does not include backports of new features. Upgrade to the latest version within a major release to receive subsequent fixes.

Technical support case access does not guarantee new fixes for your installed version. Refer to Vault release cadence for fix availability by minor version.

For additional details on technical support coverage, please contact your account representative or refer to the support article on IBM article on Support Cycle-2 (SC2) coverage.

Coverage for Vault LTS releases

Existing long-term support versions follow the existing standard and extended support periods. Standard maintenance for a given Vault version lasts approximately 1 year. After the first year, LTS Vault versions move from standard maintenance to extended maintenance for approximately one additional year.

Extended maintenance includes patches for bugs that may cause outages and critical vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs).

Refer to the IBM HashiCorp Self-Managed Product Support Lifecycle Addendum support article or the HashiCorp Support FAQ for more details, including maintenance dates for non-LTS 1.x releases.