The 2020 COVID pandemic transformed how people and organizations operate and created new pressures on IT departments to support a growing need for remote work capability. Even today, workers are scattered across multiple regions, making remote access solutions a critical lifeline for connecting employees to corporate resources from anywhere. However, this convenience comes with consequences, most notably potential security risks. While the temptation may be to plug big holes and maintain existing methods, implementing secure virtual workspaces with VDI solutions presents an opportunity to rethink the entire concept of secure remote access while addressing significant issues more confidently.
Traditional Remote Access Methods Introduce Potential Weak Points
When prompted, most people will probably consider Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as the default method for supporting remote access. While conventional methods like VPNs offer benefits, they create new potential entry points for malicious agents and activity.
Unsecured devices create a pathway for malware and data theft. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) means workers use their personal devices for work purposes. It also creates a situation where the IT department doesn’t have the same control over personal devices as they would with corporately-provisioned devices. This can result in personal devices not having, for example, the same security measures installed and active in corporately provisioned devices. This can create a security hole that hackers can exploit. For example, malware introduced through an infected home laptop, without appropriate anti-malware installed, can easily infiltrate the corporate network through a remote VPN connection and wreak havoc with various systems.
Authentication vulnerabilities mean that we need to think beyond simple passwords. Basic password authentication can be compromised. Brute force attacks, credentials theft, and other methods demonstrate that passwords alone are no longer sufficient protection against unauthorized access. Adding a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) layer, for example, is a minimum addition to protect against unauthorized access by nefarious agents.
Data Leakage and Theft. Sensitive data can be inadvertently exposed during a remote access session or even by employees cutting and pasting into generative AI software where, once exposed, it becomes part of the public domain. Employees might download files to their local machines or accidentally share them via unsecured channels. Gartner estimates that one laptop is stolen, on average, every 53 seconds. The impact has far-ranging consequences. For example, stolen devices are the primary cause for 45% of all healthcare industry data breaches. In such scenarios, stolen devices lacking sufficient security measures like drive encryption create an opportunity for thieves if sensitive data is stored on the device. In addition, employees might use AI to assist in writing confidential material or even software coding. This is a new threat that needs to be controlled.
Cyber attacks like “Man-in-the-Middle” threats enable criminals to capture data transmitted over a network connection. Cybercriminals could intercept the data stream between the remote device and the corporate network, potentially intercepting sensitive information or injecting malware that infects your company’s network.
Insider Threats. Disgruntled employees with remote access privileges also pose a threat. They can steal data, sabotage systems, or even hold the network hostage for some favorable outcome. Even employees without malicious intentions can pose risks to security through bad habits like clicking on malicious links or not updating their devices with the latest security patches. Osterman Research indicates that the most common entry points for ransomware, for example, involve VPNs and employee credentials phishing scams that inadvertently give cybercriminals access to systems and sensitive data that can be stolen and held for ransom.
Virtual Workspaces Offer a Compelling Option for Remote Workers
Virtual desktops (VDI) offer a solution to the security challenges of traditional remote access methods like VPNs. Instead of giving employees access to an internal network with software running on a remote laptop or desktop, users are assigned a virtual workspace that resides within a highly secured data center. The workspaces come fully populated with desktops, assigned applications, and controlled user permissions for such tasks as cutting and pasting, printing, and other actions that touch sensitive data.
They centralize control for better security. VDI software provides users with virtualized desktop solutions hosted on centralized servers. It eliminates the risk associated with unpatched and unsecured personal devices because they can be updated regularly from a centralized management console. In addition, all applications can be updated and assigned similarly, providing control over which users can access applications and services without ever having to step foot in the field to deal with a physical laptop or desktop device.
They make use of advanced authentication and other security measures. Virtual workspaces can leverage strong authentication methods like multi-factor authentication and smart card readers, making it significantly harder for unauthorized users to gain access. In addition, since they operate in a centralized server-based environment, the number of potential attack points are dramatically reduced.
Virtual workspaces isolate data to prevent leaks. When VDI sessions are entirely contained within the virtual machine, it results in a workspace environment that is isolated, or “Air locked” from the outside world or the rest of the internal network. If properly locked down, it can (for example) prevent sensitive data from being downloaded to personal devices or accessories like thumb drives. Data processing and storage occur within the secure confines of the organization’s data center, so there is never a need to keep data stored on local devices that can be exposed to potential theft.
They restrict potential points of attack. By creating defined and controlled virtual workspaces with VDI, there’s no need to expose entire corporate networks to remote access as they would otherwise have through a VPN. With Inuvika OVD Enterprise, each user is sandboxed, so even if there is a security issue, it cannot go beyond the single exposed user.
Administrators can monitor and manage user activities. VDI environments allow for robust user activity monitoring and session recording. They also grant granular user rights permission, so you can, for example, assign access rights and other permissions easily. This enables organizations to detect suspicious behavior, identify potential insider threats, and limit what users may do in the environment. Admins can also prevent users from cutting and pasting outside of the environment into generative AI to preserve proprietary information.
Other Benefits of Using Virtual Workspaces for Remote Access
Creating virtual workspaces with VDI offers other benefits beyond remote access security:
Simplified Management. VDI streamlines IT management by centralizing desktops and applications. Updates can be deployed to all users simultaneously, reducing administrative overhead and creating new IT efficiencies that can be reinvested into other projects or services.
Improved Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity. In the event of a hardware failure or natural disaster, virtual workspaces can be easily restored from backups, minimizing downtime and data loss.
Scalability. VDI environments are highly scalable. Organizations can easily add or remove virtual desktops as needed to accommodate fluctuating user demands.
Device Agnostic. VDIs allow users to connect from any device with a web browser, eliminating the need for company-issued hardware. This flexibility empowers employees to work productively from any location.
Conclusion
VPN remote access has become an indispensable tool for today’s workforce. However, it is crucial to recognize and address the inherent security risks. VDI solutions like Inuvika OVD Enterprise offer a secure and feature-rich alternative to VPNs for remote work. While VDI requires careful planning and investment, the improved security, centralized management, and scalability benefits make them a compelling solution for organizations looking to empower their remote teams without compromising their cybersecurity posture.
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