Virtual Desktop Infrastructures, Security and You

Interest in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) technology is growing at an exponential rate, driven in part by vendor claims of eased management and lower operating costs, as well as the belief that eliminating traditional PCs eradicates a multitude of problems.

Nevertheless, it would be unwise for an IT pro to jump onto the VDI bandwagon without fully understanding the differences between virtual PCs and Physical PCs, and what that means to the network, the user and the organization in general.

Some of those differences are subtle, while others are more evident. However, it is pretty safe to say that a Virtual PC can do most anything a physical PC can do. And, as they say, the devil is in the details, and the biggest detail tends to be security.

In other words, VDI based virtual desktops have some of the same security concerns as physical desktops, and a few additional ones as well.

IT pros have a good grasp on how to secure physical desktop PCs. It all comes down to controlling access to the endpoint and controlling what applications execute–a paradigm that is exemplified by the use of login credentials backed by anti-malware–controlling access and preventing malicious applications from executing.

Nevertheless, security must be one of the first considerations when discussing a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) deployment. After all, once you start placing virtual desktops out in the ether, you must make sure those virtual machines cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, or become infested with mal-ware. It is the ability to remotely access virtual desktops that increases the risk profile, because physical protection (a locked office) is no longer feasible.

Luckily, the purveyors of VDI technologies have also considered the implications of securing virtual machines and have incorporated a plethora of security controls into their respective platforms. Vendor support, integrated security capabilities and enhanced management are quickly turning VDI platforms into a more secure way of doing business.

Simply put, desktop virtualization can decrease security risks, when implemented properly.

Frank J. Ohlhorst is an award-winning technology journalist, professional speaker and IT business consultant with more than 25 years of experience in the technology market. He has written articles for a variety of technology and business publications, and he worked previously as executive technology editor at eWeek and director of the CRN Test Center.

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