diff --git a/.github/workflows/first-interaction.yml b/.github/workflows/first-interaction.yaml
similarity index 96%
rename from .github/workflows/first-interaction.yml
rename to .github/workflows/first-interaction.yaml
index 3cd536195..538b88b78 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/first-interaction.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/first-interaction.yaml
@@ -4,12 +4,15 @@ on:
   pull_request_target:
     types: [ opened ]
 
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
 jobs:
   greeting:
     # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo
     if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    
+
     steps:
       - uses: actions/first-interaction@v1
         with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/license-scan.yaml b/.github/workflows/license-scan.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a828bcbcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/license-scan.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+name: License Scan
+
+on:
+  # enable running the workflow manually
+  workflow_dispatch:
+  schedule:
+    # run every night at 2:00 AM (UTC)
+    - cron: '0 2 * * *'
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+
+jobs:
+  license-scan:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo or when manually triggered
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_license-scan.yaml
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+    with:
+        ref: ${{ github.ref }}
+        open_tickets: true
+    secrets:
+      inherit: true
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d6e4474e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+name: Release
+
+on:
+  # enable running the workflow manually
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      revision:
+        description: 'Release version'
+        default: '0-SNAPSHOT'
+      override_tag:
+        description: 'If to move the tag if already exists'
+        default: false
+        required: false
+      dry_run:
+        description: 'If to skip publishing the release to central repository'
+        default: false
+        required: false
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  security-events: write
+
+jobs:
+  audit:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: "Release ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+        run: echo "Releasing ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+
+  # tag with release version if not already tagged
+  # if already tagged - it will release from there
+  tag:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo and when release fixed version
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit' && inputs.revision != '0-SNAPSHOT'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_tag.yaml
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+    with:
+      tag_name: ${{ inputs.revision }}
+      tag_message: "Release version ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+      override_tag: ${{ inputs.override_tag }}
+
+  license-scan:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_license-scan.yaml
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+    with:
+      ref: ${{ inputs.revision == '0-SNAPSHOT' && github.ref || inputs.revision }}
+
+  trivy-scan:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo or when manually triggered
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_trivy-scan.yaml
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      security-events: write
+    with:
+      ref: ${{ inputs.revision == '0-SNAPSHOT' && github.ref || inputs.revision }}
+      upload: true
+
+  deploy:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    services:
+      rabbitmq:
+        image: rabbitmq:3-management-alpine
+        env:
+          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_VHOST: /
+          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_USER: guest
+          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_PASS: guest
+        ports:
+          - 15672:15672
+          - 5672:5672
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.revision == '0-SNAPSHOT' && github.ref || inputs.revision }}
+
+      - name: Set up JDK & Maven Central credentials
+        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
+        with:
+          distribution: 'temurin'
+          java-version: 21
+          cache: 'maven'
+          server-id: central
+          server-username: MAVEN_USERNAME
+          server-password: MAVEN_PASSWORD
+          gpg-private-key: ${{ secrets.GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+          gpg-passphrase: MAVEN_GPG_PASSPHRASE
+
+      - name: Cache local Maven repository
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.m2/repository
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-maven-${{ hashFiles('**/pom.xml') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-maven-
+
+      - name: Run build javadoc, verify (test)
+        run: mvn verify javadoc:jar -PgenerateTestReport -Drevision=${{ inputs.revision }} --batch-mode
+
+      - name: "Deploy ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+        run: mvn deploy -DskipTests -Ppublish -Drevision=${{ inputs.revision }} -DskipPublishing=${{ inputs.dry_run }} --batch-mode
+        env:
+          MAVEN_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.CENTRAL_SONATYPE_TOKEN_USERNAME }}
+          MAVEN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.CENTRAL_SONATYPE_TOKEN_PASSWORD }}
+          MAVEN_GPG_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index b330fc164..000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,116 +0,0 @@
-name: Release
-
-on:
-  # enable running the workflow manually
-  workflow_dispatch:
-    inputs:
-      revision:
-        description: 'Release version'
-        default: '0-SNAPSHOT'
-
-jobs:
-  release:
-    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo
-    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-
-    services:
-      rabbitmq:
-        image: rabbitmq:3-management-alpine
-        env:
-          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_VHOST: /
-          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_USER: guest
-          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_PASS: guest
-        ports:
-          - 15672:15672
-          - 5672:5672
-
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-      - name: "Release ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}"
-        run: echo "Releasing ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}"
-
-      - name: Set up JDK & Maven Central credentials
-        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
-        with:
-          distribution: 'temurin'
-          java-version: 21
-          cache: 'maven'
-          server-id: central
-          server-username: MAVEN_USERNAME
-          server-password: MAVEN_PASSWORD
-          gpg-private-key: ${{ secrets.GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
-          gpg-passphrase: MAVEN_GPG_PASSPHRASE
-
-      - name: Cache local Maven repository
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          path: ~/.m2/repository
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-maven-${{ hashFiles('**/pom.xml') }}
-          restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-maven-
-
-      - name: Check file license headers
-        run: mvn clean license:check -PcheckLicense --batch-mode
-      - name: Check dependency licenses with dash tool
-        run: |
-          if [ "${REVISION}" = "0-SNAPSHOT" ]; then
-              DASH_FAIL=false
-          else
-              DASH_FAIL=true
-          fi
-          mvn install -DskipTests -DskipJavadoc --batch-mode
-          mvn license-tool:license-check -PcheckLicense -Ddash.fail=${DASH_FAIL} -Ddash.iplab.token=${GITLAB_API_TOKEN} --projects '!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-repository-test,!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-dmf-rabbitmq-test' --batch-mode
-          CHANGED_FILES_COUNT=$(git status --short | wc -l)
-          CHANGED_FILES_COUNT=${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT//[[:space:]]/}
-          echo "Number of changed files: ${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT}"
-          if [ "${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT}" -ne 0 ]; then
-            if [ "${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT}" -eq 1 ]; then
-                DEPENDENCY_FILE=".3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES"
-                DEPENDENCIES_MODIFIED=$(git status --short | grep ".3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES")
-                # Check if the file is modified
-                if [[ -n "$DEPENDENCIES_MODIFIED" ]]; then
-                    echo "${DEPENDENCY_FILE} changed - commit it"
-                    git config --local user.name "github-actions[bot]"
-                    git config --local user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
-                    git add ${DEPENDENCY_FILE} && git commit -m "[Release] Automated commit of ${DEPENDENCY_FILE} changes" && git push
-                else
-                    echo "Unexpected changes:"
-                    git status --short
-                    exit 1
-                fi
-            else
-                echo "More than one file has changed:"
-                git status --short
-                exit 1
-            fi
-          fi
-        env:
-          REVISION: ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}
-          GITLAB_API_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITLAB_API_TOKEN }}
-
-      - name: Run build javadoc, verify (test)
-        run: mvn verify javadoc:jar -PgenerateTestReport -Drevision=${REVISION} --batch-mode
-        env:
-          REVISION: ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}
-
-      - name: "Deploy ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}"
-        run: mvn deploy -DskipTests -Ppublish -Drevision=${REVISION} --batch-mode
-        env:
-          REVISION: ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}
-          MAVEN_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.CENTRAL_SONATYPE_TOKEN_USERNAME }}
-          MAVEN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.CENTRAL_SONATYPE_TOKEN_PASSWORD }}
-          MAVEN_GPG_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
-      - name: Tag release
-        run: |
-          if [ "${REVISION}" != "0-SNAPSHOT" ]; then
-              git config --local user.name "github-actions[bot]"
-              git config --local user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
-              git tag -a ${REVISION} -m "Release version ${REVISION}" && git push origin ${REVISION}
-          fi
-        env:
-          REVISION: ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release_docker.yml b/.github/workflows/release_docker.yaml
similarity index 85%
rename from .github/workflows/release_docker.yml
rename to .github/workflows/release_docker.yaml
index 8a36090f5..c96327def 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release_docker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release_docker.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ on:
         description: 'Release version'
         default: '0-SNAPSHOT'
 
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
 jobs:
   release_docker:
     # only on fork of eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo - see the note above
@@ -20,8 +23,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: "Release ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}"
-        run: echo "Releasing ${{ github.event.inputs.revision }}"
+      - name: "Release ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+        run: echo "Releasing ${{ inputs.revision }}"
 
       - name: Setup
         run: |
@@ -45,9 +48,9 @@ jobs:
           
           for APP in "${ALL_APPS[@]}"; do
             if [ "${APP}" == "hawkbit-repository-jpa-init" ]; then
-                DOCKER_FILE="Dockerfile_dbinit"
+              DOCKER_FILE="Dockerfile_dbinit"
             else
-                DOCKER_FILE="Dockerfile"
+              DOCKER_FILE="Dockerfile"
             fi
             echo "Build ${APP}, docker file : ${DOCKER_FILE}"
             docker buildx build -t hawkbit/${APP}:${REVISION} --build-arg HAWKBIT_APP=${APP} --build-arg HAWKBIT_VERSION=${REVISION} -f ${DOCKER_FILE} .
@@ -61,14 +64,15 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Push Docker Images
         run: |
-          ALL_APPS=()  # Initialize an empty
+          ALL_APPS=()
           for APP in $(echo "${ALL_APPS_STRING}" | tr ',' '\n' | xargs); do
-            ALL_APPS+=("${APP}")  # Add trimmed app
+            ALL_APPS+=("${APP}")  # trims chunk to fully qualified app name
           done
           
           for APP in "${ALL_APPS[@]}"; do
-            echo "Deploy ${APP}"
+            echo "Deploying ${APP}..."
             docker push hawkbit/${APP}:${REVISION}
             docker tag hawkbit/${APP}:${REVISION} hawkbit/${APP}:latest
             docker push hawkbit/${APP}:latest
-          done
+            echo "${APP} deployed."
+          done
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release_tag.yaml b/.github/workflows/release_tag.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7f282646f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release_tag.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+name: Release Start
+
+on:
+  # enable running the workflow manually
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      revision:
+        description: 'Release version'
+        default: '0-SNAPSHOT'
+      override_tag:
+        description: 'If to move the tag if already exists'
+        default: false
+        required: false
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+
+jobs:
+  audit:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: "Release ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+        run: echo "Releasing ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+
+  # tag with release version if not already tagged
+  # if already tagged - it will release from there
+  tag:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo and when release fixed version
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit' && inputs.revision != '0-SNAPSHOT'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_tag@${{ github.sha }}
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+    with:
+      tag_name: ${{ inputs.revision }}
+      tag_message: "Release version ${{ inputs.revision }}"
+      override_tag: ${{ github.event.inputs.override_tag }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/license-scan.yml b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_license-scan.yaml
similarity index 50%
rename from .github/workflows/license-scan.yml
rename to .github/workflows/reusable_workflow_license-scan.yaml
index 379b7778e..b324208f5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/license-scan.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_license-scan.yaml
@@ -1,23 +1,25 @@
-name: License Scan
+name: License Scan (Reusable Workflow)
 
 on:
-  # enable running the workflow manually
-  workflow_dispatch:
-  schedule:
-    # run every night at 2:00 AM (UTC)
-    - cron: '0 2 * * *'
+  workflow_call:
+    variables:
+      ref:
+        description: 'The branch, tag or SHA to checkout, e.g. master'
+        type: string
+        default: 'master'
+      open_tickets:
+        description: 'If to open tickets for license issues to Dash IP lab, e.g. true or false'
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
 
 jobs:
-  license-scan:
-    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo or when manually triggered
-    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
+  reusable_workflow_license-scan:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.ref }}
 
       - name: Set up JDK & Maven Central credentials
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
@@ -36,7 +38,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Check file license headers
         run: mvn license:check -PcheckLicense --batch-mode
-      - name: Check dependency licenses with dash tool
+
+      - name: Check dependency licenses with dash tool (and open issues to Dash IP lab, doesn't fail)
+        if: ${{ inputs.open_tickets == 'true' }}
         run: |
           mvn clean install -DskipTests -DskipJavadoc --batch-mode
           mvn license-tool:license-check -Ddash.fail=false -PcheckLicense -Ddash.iplab.token=${GITLAB_API_TOKEN} --projects '!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-repository-test,!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-dmf-rabbitmq-test'
@@ -45,26 +49,29 @@ jobs:
           echo "Number of changed files: ${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT}"
           if [ "${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT}" -ne 0 ]; then
             if [ "${CHANGED_FILES_COUNT}" -eq 1 ]; then
-                DEPENDENCY_FILE=".3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES"
-                DEPENDENCIES_MODIFIED=$(git status --short | grep ".3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES")
-                # Check if the file is modified
-                if [[ -n "$DEPENDENCIES_MODIFIED" ]]; then
-                    echo "${DEPENDENCY_FILE} changed - commit it"
-                    git config --local user.name "github-actions[bot]"
-                    git config --local user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
-                    git add ${DEPENDENCY_FILE} && git commit -m "[Release] Automated commit of ${DEPENDENCY_FILE} changes" && git push
-                else
-                    echo "Unexpected changes:"
-                    git status --short
-                    exit 1
-                fi
-            else
-                echo "More than one file has changed:"
+              DEPENDENCY_FILE=".3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES"
+              DEPENDENCIES_MODIFIED=$(git status --short | grep ".3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES")
+              # Check if the file is modified
+              if [[ -n "$DEPENDENCIES_MODIFIED" ]]; then
+                echo "${DEPENDENCY_FILE} changed - commit it"
+                git config --local user.name "github-actions[bot]"
+                git config --local user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+                git add ${DEPENDENCY_FILE} && git commit -m "[Release] Automated commit of ${DEPENDENCY_FILE} changes" && git push
+              else
+                echo "Unexpected changes:"
                 git status --short
                 exit 1
+              fi
+            else
+              echo "More than one file has changed:"
+              git status --short
+              exit 1
             fi
           fi
-          # do dash.fail=true so if there are restricted dependencis the build will fail
+          # do dash.fail=true so if there are restricted dependencies the build will fail
           mvn license-tool:license-check -Ddash.fail=true -PcheckLicense -Ddash.iplab.token=${GITLAB_API_TOKEN} --projects '!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-repository-test,!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-dmf-rabbitmq-test'
         env:
           GITLAB_API_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITLAB_API_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Check dependency licenses with dash tool (and return the result)
+        run: mvn license-tool:license-check -Ddash.fail=true -PcheckLicense --projects '!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-repository-test,!org.eclipse.hawkbit:hawkbit-dmf-rabbitmq-test'
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_tag.yaml b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_tag.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d6ac9d81a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_tag.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+name: Tag
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      tag_name:
+        type: string
+        description: 'Tag name, e.g. 1.0.0'
+        required: true
+      tag_message:
+        type: string
+        description: ''
+        required: false
+      override_tag:
+        type: boolean
+        description: 'If to override the tag if already exists'
+        required: false
+        default: false
+
+jobs:
+  tag:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Tag release
+        run: |
+          git config --local user.name "github-actions[bot]"
+          git config --local user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+          
+          if git rev-parse "${TAG_NAME}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            echo "Creating a tag ${TAG_NAME} ..."
+            if [ -n "${TAG_MESSAGE}" ]; then
+              git tag -a ${TAG_NAME} -m "${TAG_MESSAGE}"
+            else
+              git tag -a ${TAG_NAME}
+            fi
+            git push origin ${TAG_NAME}
+            echo "Tag ${TAG_NAME} created."
+          else
+            if [ "${{ inputs.override_tag }}" == "true" ]; then
+              echo "Tag ${TAG_NAME} already exists, but override is set to true, so moving it ..."
+              git tag -d ${TAG_NAME}
+              if [ -n "${TAG_MESSAGE}" ]; then
+                git tag -a ${TAG_NAME} -m "${TAG_MESSAGE}"
+              else
+                git tag -a ${TAG_NAME}
+              fi
+              git push origin ${TAG_NAME}
+              echo "Tag ${TAG_NAME} moved." 
+            else
+              echo "Tag ${TAG_NAME} already exists, do nothing."
+            fi
+          fi`
+        env:
+          TAG_NAME: ${{ inputs.tag_name }}
+          TAG_MESSAGE: ${{ inputs.tag_message }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/trivy-scan.yml b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_trivy-scan.yaml
similarity index 61%
rename from .github/workflows/trivy-scan.yml
rename to .github/workflows/reusable_workflow_trivy-scan.yaml
index d3d4437a1..7d2fc17f0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/trivy-scan.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_trivy-scan.yaml
@@ -1,16 +1,19 @@
-name: Vulnerability Scan
+name: Trivy Scan (Reusable Workflow)
 
 on:
-  # enable running the workflow manually
-  workflow_dispatch:
-  schedule:
-    # run every night at 4:00 AM (UTC)
-    - cron: '0 4 * * *'
+  workflow_call:
+    variables:
+      ref:
+        description: 'The branch, tag or SHA to checkout, e.g. master'
+        type: string
+        default: 'master'
+      upload:
+        description: 'If to upload the scan results, e.g. true or false'
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
 
 jobs:
   trivy-scan:
-    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo or when manually triggered
-    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     permissions:
@@ -21,6 +24,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.ref }}
 
       - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
@@ -31,7 +36,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Create hawkBit container images
         run: |
-          mvn clean install -DskipTests && \
+          mvn clean install -DskipTests -DskipJavadoc && \
           cd docker/build && \
           chmod +x build_dev.sh && \
           ./build_dev.sh && \
@@ -51,32 +56,53 @@ jobs:
           mkdir -p scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit
           for IMAGE in $(docker image ls --format "{{.Repository}}:{{.Tag}}" "hawkbit/hawkbit-*:latest"); do
             echo "Scanning image ${IMAGE} ..."
-            ./trivy image "${IMAGE}" --ignore-unfixed --ignorefile .github/workflows/.trivyignore --severity HIGH,CRITICAL --vuln-type library --output "scans/eclipse-hawkbit/$IMAGE.sarif" --format sarif
+            ./trivy image "${IMAGE}" --ignore-unfixed --ignorefile .github/workflows/.trivyignore --severity HIGH,CRITICAL --vuln-type library --output "scans/eclipse-hawkbit/${IMAGE}.sarif" --format sarif
           done
 
-      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-ddi-server
+      - name: Check if to upload scan results
+        run: |
+          if [ "${{ inputs.upload }}" = "true" ]; then
+            echo "Uploading scan results..."
+          else
+            echo "Skipping upload of scan results."
+            exit 0
+          fi
+
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-ddi-server (hawkbit-ddi-server)
         uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
         with:
           sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-ddi-server:latest.sarif'
           category: "Container Images (hawkbit-ddi-server)"
-      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-dmf-server
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-dmf-server (hawkbit-dmf-server)
         uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
         with:
           sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-dmf-server:latest.sarif'
           category: "Container Images (hawkbit-dmf-server)"
-      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-mgmt-server
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-mgmt-server (hawkbit-mgmt-server)
         uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
         with:
           sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-mgmt-server:latest.sarif'
           category: "Container Images (hawkbit-mgmt-server)"
-      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-simple-ui
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab hawkbit-simple-ui (hawkbit-simple-ui)
         uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
         with:
           sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-simple-ui:latest.sarif'
           category: "Container Images (hawkbit-simple-ui)"
 
-      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab (hawkbit-update-server)
         uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
         with:
           sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-update-server:latest.sarif'
-          category: "Container Images (hawkbit-update-server)"
\ No newline at end of file
+          category: "Container Images (hawkbit-update-server)"
+
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab (hawkbit-repository-jpa-init)
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
+        with:
+          sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-repository-jpa-init:latest.sarif'
+          category: "Container Images (hawkbit-update-server)"
+
+      - name: Upload Docker image scan results to GitHub Security tab (hawkbit-repository-jpa-init)
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
+        with:
+          sarif_file: 'scans/eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit/hawkbit-repository-jpa-init:latest.sarif'
+          category: "Container Images (hawkbit-repository-jpa-init)"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/verify.yml b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_verify.yaml
similarity index 67%
rename from .github/workflows/verify.yml
rename to .github/workflows/reusable_workflow_verify.yaml
index ebd95c671..082289374 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/verify.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_verify.yaml
@@ -1,21 +1,19 @@
-name: Verify
+name: Verify (Reusable Workflow)
 
 on:
-  push:
-    branches:
-      - master
-    paths-ignore:
-      - '.3rd-party/**'
-      - 'site/**'
-      - '**.md'
-  pull_request:
-    paths-ignore:
-      - '.3rd-party/**'
-      - 'site/**'
-      - '**.md'
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      ref:
+        description: 'The branch, tag or SHA to checkout, e.g. master'
+        type: string
+        default: 'master'
+      maven_properties:
+        type: string
+        default: ''
+        description: 'Properties to pass to Maven command line, e.g. -Djpa.vendor=hibernate'
 
 jobs:
-  verify:
+  reusable_workflow_verify:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     services:
@@ -31,6 +29,8 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.ref }}
 
       - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
@@ -51,4 +51,4 @@ jobs:
         run: mvn license:check -PcheckLicense --batch-mode
 
       - name: Run tests & javadoc
-        run: mvn clean verify javadoc:javadoc -PgenerateTestReport --batch-mode
\ No newline at end of file
+        run: mvn clean verify javadoc:javadoc -PgenerateTestReport ${{ inputs.maven_properties }} --batch-mode
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale.yml b/.github/workflows/stale.yaml
similarity index 100%
rename from .github/workflows/stale.yml
rename to .github/workflows/stale.yaml
diff --git a/.github/workflows/verify-hibernate.yaml b/.github/workflows/verify-hibernate.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c596e9daa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/verify-hibernate.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+name: Verify (Hibernate)
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - master
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '.3rd-party/**'
+      - 'site/**'
+      - '**.md'
+  pull_request:
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '.3rd-party/**'
+      - 'site/**'
+      - '**.md'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  verify-hibernate:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_verify.yaml
+    with:
+      ref: ${{ github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref || github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.pull_request.head.ref || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && github.ref }}
+      maven_properties: '-Djpa.vendor=hibernate -Dlogging.level.org.hibernate.collection.spi.AbstractPersistentCollection=ERROR'
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/verify-hibernate.yml b/.github/workflows/verify-hibernate.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 3a97485f8..000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/verify-hibernate.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,54 +0,0 @@
-name: Verify (Hibernate)
-
-on:
-  push:
-    branches:
-      - master
-    paths-ignore:
-      - '.3rd-party/**'
-      - 'site/**'
-      - '**.md'
-  pull_request:
-    paths-ignore:
-      - '.3rd-party/**'
-      - 'site/**'
-      - '**.md'
-
-jobs:
-  verify-hibernate:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-
-    services:
-      rabbitmq:
-        image: rabbitmq:3-management-alpine
-        env:
-          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_VHOST: /
-          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_USER: guest
-          RABBITMQ_DEFAULT_PASS: guest
-        ports:
-          - 15672:15672
-          - 5672:5672
-
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-      - name: Set up JDK
-        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
-        with:
-          distribution: 'temurin'
-          java-version: 21
-          cache: 'maven'
-
-      - name: Cache local Maven repository
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          path: ~/.m2/repository
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-maven-${{ hashFiles('**/pom.xml') }}
-          restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-maven-
-
-      - name: Check file license headers
-        run: mvn license:check -PcheckLicense --batch-mode
-
-      - name: Run tests & javadoc
-        run: mvn clean verify javadoc:javadoc --batch-mode -Djpa.vendor=hibernate -Dlogging.level.org.hibernate.collection.spi.AbstractPersistentCollection=ERROR
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/verify.yaml b/.github/workflows/verify.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..defd11679
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/verify.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+name: Verify
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - master
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '.3rd-party/**'
+      - 'site/**'
+      - '**.md'
+  pull_request:
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '.3rd-party/**'
+      - 'site/**'
+      - '**.md'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  verify:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_verify.yaml
+    with:
+      ref: ${{ github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref || github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.pull_request.head.ref || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && github.ref }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/vulnerability-scan.yaml b/.github/workflows/vulnerability-scan.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fe5328b7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/vulnerability-scan.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+name: Vulnerability Scan
+
+on:
+  # enable running the workflow manually
+  workflow_dispatch:
+  schedule:
+    # run every night at 4:00 AM (UTC)
+    - cron: '0 4 * * *'
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  security-events: write
+
+jobs:
+  trivy-scan:
+    # only on original eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit repo or when manually triggered
+    if: github.repository == 'eclipse-hawkbit/hawkbit' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable_workflow_trivy-scan.yaml
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      security-events: write
+    with:
+      ref: ${{ github.ref }}
+      upload: ${{ github.ref == 'refs/heads/master' }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 6111789a5..c0bacb35f 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -129,6 +129,8 @@
         <dash.review.summary>${project.build.directory}/.3rd-party/DEPENDENCIES_REVIEW</dash.review.summary>
         <excludeGroupIds>org.eclipse,org.junit</excludeGroupIds>
         <!-- Dash tool integration - END -->
+
+        <skipPublishing>false</skipPublishing>
     </properties>
 
     <developers>
@@ -670,6 +672,7 @@
                             <publishingServerId>central</publishingServerId>
                             <autoPublish>true</autoPublish>
                             <waitUntil>published</waitUntil>
+                            <skipPublishing>${skipPublishing}</skipPublishing>
                         </configuration>
                     </plugin>
                 </plugins>