The brunt of COVID19 has come and gone, but some adaptive approaches implemented at the height of the pandemic remain in its aftermath. Responding to employees’ preference of working from anywhere, many organisations are continuing remote work and/or hybrid work arrangements for suitable roles and duties. Remote IT support for instance, is one service that can be performed optimally with the right tools and solutions.
Whether for IT support or other departments, the remote work setup has been a welcome move for many employees. But it has also opened up many challenges for IT teams, particularly in the area of cyber security. To address these concerns, enterprises have turned to a proven reliable solution for secure remote work: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure or VDI. VDI allows offsite employees to access a virtual desktop environment hosted on a centralised server. This is a more secure alternative than storing data on individual devices, thus keeping sensitive information off personal laptops and desktops.
In this blog post, we discuss what VDI is, how it works, and what benefits the technology brings in helping secure remote work environments. The article also covers how VDI enables
What is VDI and What is Its Role in Remote Work?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is an IT infrastructure that gives users access to a virtual desktop environment which is hosted on a centralised server. The data, applications, and configurations are not stored in individual devices but on a remote server that is accessible from anywhere .
Here’s how it works. Each user’s desktop runs on a virtual machine, providing a familiar, personalised experience while still being centrally managed by the IT department. Under this environment, employees can securely log in to the virtual desktop, and can work with their specific applications without having to install or configure anything. Using VDI separates the desktop environment from the physical device which helps prevent security risks that often arise with remote work. Threats of data loss, malware infiltration, and the repercussions of device theft are effectively reduced.
Aside from offering a consistent and secure digital workspace, VDI also allows IT teams to exercise greater control over user environments. A VDI setup lets them monitor, update, and secure virtual desktops more efficiently than with traditional, device-specific configuration. This makes it an ideal environment for companies with work-from-home (or from-anywhere) employees.
How VDI Enhances Cybersecurity
One of the most impactful benefits of using VDI for remote work is its ability to strengthen an organisation’s cyber security measures. Let’s break down the security advantages VDI offers:
- Data Security. A VDI environment ensures that all data remains in the server—a system that’s often protected by multiple advanced security tools including firewalls, encryption technologies, and intrusion detection/prevention solutions. These server-hardening measures reduce the probability of data exposure. Data exposure is an incident that may likely occur when employees access sensitive information from personal or unsecured devices.
- Controlled Access. VDI allows IT teams to consistently implement strict access controls across all applications and data stored in the servers. Complex authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) guarantees that only authorised users gain access to confidential data and systems.
- Reduced vulnerability. A proven best practice in security is regular software updating. With VDI technology, IT departments can proactively apply software updates and patches on all virtual desktops. This ensures that every user is working with the latest security protocols and software, mitigating vulnerabilities associated with outdated systems—a common target of cybercriminals.
- Risk mitigation. With data and applications isolated from end-user devices, VDI can limit the impact on the business in the event of a security incident. For example, if an employee’s virtual desktop falls victim to malware infection or ransomware, the attack can be contained within that specific environment. Tech professionals can quickly resolve this incident by reverting to previous snapshots of the virtual desktop, restoring normal operations with minimal disruption and data loss.
VDI for Efficient Remote IT Support
Beyond cybersecurity, VDI technology also offers notable advantages for remote IT support. It significantly simplifies the support process by allowing management of all virtual desktops from a central location. Tech professionals can then troubleshoot and address IT issues across multiple desktops without the need for physical access to each individual device. Issues can often be identified and resolved faster than with traditional, device-dependent approach.
Aside from the benefit of centralised management streamlined troubleshooting, VDI also lets IT departments deploy a standardised desktop environment across all users. A consistent environment for all reduces the complexity of system support and maintenance. Employees accessing the same applications, settings, and security protocols, ensures compatibility throughout the enterprise. In addition, VDI allows IT support to deploy applications, updates, and patches across all virtual desktops at once, saving time and minimising configuration errors that often beset manual installations.
Streamline Remote Work Environments with VDI
As remote work continues to evolve, it’s essential to have the right technology that boosts both security and productivity. Consider VDI. It offers a flexible, secure, and scalable solution that enhances efficiency while addressing the unique cyber security needs of remote work. Need help in getting started? Contact a trusted managed services provider today and learn how VDI and other managed solutions can streamline your IT support services and secure your remote workforce.