diff --git a/.github/workflows/gradle.yml b/.github/workflows/gradle.yml
index ee5a47234..76afc3912 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/gradle.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/gradle.yml
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: "☕️ Setup JDK"
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: 17
+          java-version: 21
           distribution: liberica
       - name: "🐘 Setup Gradle"
         uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@0723195856401067f7a2779048b490ace7a47d7c # v5.0.2
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: "☕️ Setup JDK"
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: 17
+          java-version: 21
           distribution: liberica
       - name: "🐘 Setup Gradle"
         uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@0723195856401067f7a2779048b490ace7a47d7c # v5.0.2
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: "☕️ Setup JDK"
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: 17
+          java-version: 21
           distribution: liberica
       - name: "🐘 Setup Gradle"
         uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@0723195856401067f7a2779048b490ace7a47d7c # v5.0.2
diff --git a/.github/workflows/rat.yml b/.github/workflows/rat.yml
index fed8dcbbc..a7f0bda64 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rat.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rat.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
           distribution: liberica
-          java-version: 17
+          java-version: 21
       - name: "🐘 Setup Gradle"
         uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@0723195856401067f7a2779048b490ace7a47d7c # v5.0.2
         with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 5551cd6c7..83196c174 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ env:
   GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
   GRAILS_PUBLISH_RELEASE: true
   JAVA_DISTRIBUTION: liberica
-  JAVA_VERSION: 17.0.17 # this must be a specific version for reproducible builds, keep it synced with .sdkmanrc
+  JAVA_VERSION: 21.0.10 # this must be a specific version for reproducible builds, keep it synced with .sdkmanrc
   PROJECT_DESC: > 
     Apache Grails Spring Security adds production-ready
     authentication and authorization to Apache Grails applications.
diff --git a/.sdkmanrc b/.sdkmanrc
index 84839beb1..f84f394c1 100644
--- a/.sdkmanrc
+++ b/.sdkmanrc
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-java=17.0.17-librca
+java=21.0.10-librca
 gradle=8.14.4
 # This is here to support the test app generation in the *rest projects
 grails=7.0.7
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/etc/bin/Dockerfile b/etc/bin/Dockerfile
index 35d1855ff..b66d74f46 100644
--- a/etc/bin/Dockerfile
+++ b/etc/bin/Dockerfile
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 # for testing in a container that is similar to the github action linux build environment
 # run this from the root of the project
 # `docker build -t grails:testing -f etc/bin/Dockerfile . && docker run -it --rm -v $(pwd):/home/groovy/project grails:testing bash`
-FROM bellsoft/liberica-openjdk-debian:17.0.17
+FROM bellsoft/liberica-openjdk-debian:21.0.10
 
 USER root
 RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y curl unzip coreutils libdigest-sha-perl gpg vim sudo psmisc locales groovy rsync
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 31ec4f4e4..c0607a7f3 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 #
 projectVersion=8.0.0-SNAPSHOT
 grailsVersion=8.0.0-SNAPSHOT
-javaVersion=17
+javaVersion=21
 
 unboundidLdapSdkVersion=7.0.3
 apacheDsVersion=1.5.4