As more and more businesses undergo digital transformation, companies are increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions to enhance productivity and streamline their operations. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) by Microsoft is one such solution that is gained increasing popularity as it offers both security and scalability.
What Is Azure Virtual Desktop?
Previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop, AVD is a cloud-based virtualisation service that allows companies to access their desktops and applications from anywhere, using any device, while maintaining a high level of security and control.
With Azure Virtual Desktop, businesses can create virtual desktop environments in the cloud and provide their users with remote access to these virtual desktops. Users can connect to their personalised desktops and access all the applications, files, and resources they need to perform their tasks, just as they would on a physical desktop.
In short, AVD provides a flexible and scalable solution for businesses looking to enable remote work, enhance productivity, and simplify IT management. It just so happens that using Azure to achieve these goals also brings businesses one step closer to being more eco-friendly by lowering energy consumption and decreasing hardware requirements.
The Security Benefits Of AVD
Now that we have touched on what Azure Virtual Desktop is and the wide range of benefits it brings, let’s take a closer look at its security benefits.
Enhanced Data Security
By migrating from fixed desktops to Azure Virtual Desktop, organisations can significantly enhance their data security measures. AVD makes use of Microsoft’s robust security infrastructure, which includes regular updates, proactive threat detection, and compliance with various industry standards. Centralising sensitive data within Azure also has the added benefit of ensuring better control and protection against unauthorised access, data loss, and cyber threats.
End-to-End Encryption
Azure Virtual Desktop employs state-of-the-art encryption protocols to secure the transmission of data between users and their virtual desktop. This encryption ensures that sensitive information remains protected, even during remote access sessions. By leveraging AVD’s encryption capabilities, IT service providers such as Cognition Cloud can offer clients more robust levels of security, instilling confidence and better protecting data.
Secure Remote Access
The Covid-19 lockdowns throughout 2020 and 2021 accelerated the adoption of remote working practices across all areas of business. Whether working from home, a co-working space, or while on the move, it is essential that workers are provided with reliable and secure remote access to desktops and applications. Fortunately, AVD allows employees to access their virtual desktops securely from any location, using any device, eliminating the need for on-premises infrastructure and reducing the risk associated with lost or stolen laptops. Long story short, by facilitating secure remote access, AVD enhances business continuity while maintaining stringent security controls.
Compliance & Regulatory Support
IT service providers play a vital role in helping companies adhere to industry-specific compliance and regulatory requirements. Azure Virtual Desktop makes compliance management more simple and straightforward by offering a range of built-in features and certifications. With AVD, businesses can comfortably meet data protection obligations such as GDPR and thereby avoid incurring potentially costly non-compliance penalties.
Azure Active Directory Integration
A comprehensive solution for managing user identities and controlling access to resources, Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management service. It allows businesses to manage user identities, roles, and access privileges across various applications and services, as well as supporting single sign-on (SSO) capabilities so that users may access multiple applications with a single set of credentials. Needless to say, Multi-Factor Authentication methods such as biometrics have their role to play.
**********
As you can see, Azure Virtual Desktop offers compelling security benefits for companies and allows them to embrace remote work while ensuring data integrity and privacy. Moreover, AVD’s eco-friendliness contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing energy consumption and optimising resource utilisation. So by embracing the security benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop, businesses can forge a path towards a secure and environmentally conscious future.
If you would like to learn more or find out how your company might benefit from AVD, feel free to get in touch with the Cognition Cloud team.
David is a co-founder of Cognition Cloud and is passionate about sustainability in IT. Always thinking about how IT solutions can be greener, more secure and more cost effective.
