Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Security: What are Best Practices for?

Before launching your new virtual machine, you should review your options for connecting to it from outside of your organization. Isolate the virtual machine so that no one else can connect to it, or set it up so that network access is only possible from an outside source? If you already have an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) application running, you may already have stored credentials for this virtual machine that can be used to connect remotely once you know how. But, are these credentials secure? Are they authorized users and administrators of the virtual machine at work who want access to its resources? If so, they may want to take steps to protect those credentials from hackers and other unauthorized users. If not, this article describes are best practices for securing a virtual desktop infrastructure.

What is a virtual desktop Infrastructure?

A virtual desktop is a computer on a server that runs IaaS applications. It’s not just a hardware device; it’s an architecture that can connect to and manage data from any location, whether that be a virtual desktop on a server, in a corporate data center, or in your home office. This type of setup could be used to connect remote analysts and technicians to data-driven decision-makers, or it could be used to connect remote users to the business operations staff.

Best Practices for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Security

The best practices for securing a virtual desktop build depend on the platform and environment in which the virtual machine is run. The right place to start is by understanding the security posture of the virtual machine and identifying any issues. Then, determine how you can best reduce or eliminate those issues. On the virtual machine itself, take the following actions to reduce or eliminate any known or potential threats: Make absolutely sure that everyone on the system is authorized to access the virtual machine. Make sure that the virtual machine’s internal access controls are in place for employees to log on and remove themselves from. Effective usage of elevated privilege levels is always a strong indication that an issue exists. Review all security posture guidelines and security policies, including best practices for virtual desktop infrastructure security. Identify any holes or problems that could exist on the virtual machine’s surface. If you’re unable to root out all issues at the source, try swapping out the hardware and trying a different model. Be aware that you’ll need to perform these operations at least once for every virtual machine you build.

Secure Connections

The virtual machine should have secure, private communications with the outside world. This can vary from encrypted communications, such as those sent between a user and their employer, to fully open communication, such as those between a virtual desktop and a remote workstation or another virtual desktop server. Encrypted communications should be secured using encryption algorithms that are both more specific and difficult to crack than those used with unencrypted communications.

Best Practices for Protected Connections

If you have an edge device, such as a remote office or data center, you should create a separate virtual machine and place it inside a protected area of your data center. For edge devices, such as laptops and tablets, the virtual machine should be protected by a strong encryption algorithm, such as AES orESSY. You may also want to consider implementing something more advanced, such as the implementation of an SSL VPN so that an end user can connect to the virtual machine from a remote location and take full advantage of all the protected connections.

Conclusion

Loading an infrastructure with virtual machines can be very difficult, particularly when the virtual machines are isolated from the rest of the infrastructure. And, with the increasing popularity of virtual desktops, it can be hard to find a virtual machine that meets the required standards for a given platform. That’s where best practices for virtual desktop infrastructure security come into play. These practices try to look at the virtual machine itself as an extension of the underlying infrastructure. To ensure that the data is secure, encrypted, and accessible, you should try using the best practices for virtual desktop infrastructure security for each platform and environment. With the right setup, your virtual desktops can be a great way to manage data and make your business more secure.