By Hybrid working is now a common phenomenon and businesses are realigning their IT infrastructure and systems. The distributed nature has also made data more vulnerable to cyber threats, hence it is crucial to implement infrastructure that safeguards data and tracks how remote workers connect to resources. This also includes external parties who have access to an enterprise’s systems, such as partners and third-party providers. In this article, we explore the benefits of Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) in terms of data security and cost savings. DaaS is a virtual desktop service that is highly secure, compliant, high performant, simple and cost-effective.
When it comes to protecting data, there are differences between how conventional desktops and the VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) function. In the former, applications reside on the user’s device, while in Desktop-as-a-Service, they reside on centrally hosted servers. In the case of conventional desktops and laptops, if the system gets infected, data may be lost permanently. However, with DaaS, data is protected and available from any endpoint with a browser.
Data theft is another issue in a conventional setup. Users can copy data to USB devices or upload it to cloud storage, but, in the case of VDI solutions data is stored in the cloud and users are only given access basis their roles. In a conventional setup, data backup calls for the manual intervention by IT administrators or support team, whereas in the DaaS model, data backup is automated. With traditional desktops and laptops, recovering from a data loss requires restoring the backup; however, with the DaaS model, users can access the same work environment from any location and continue without any data loss.
Businesses can benefit from a certain advantage in terms of business continuity and security using DaaS. Since business data is stored on cloud, it remains unaffected even if an endpoint device is stolen, infected, or damaged. Users can easily log in to their VDI instances from any other device, such as a tablet, smartphone, desktop, or laptop, and continue working seamlessly. Additionally, DaaS offers increased protection when employees leave the company, ensuring that sensitive data does not stay with the employee.
Many companies rely largely on their information systems for data, which are susceptible to disruptions such data loss, system failure, and cyberattacks. It is essential to have a strong data recovery plan and business continuity strategy, which includes regular backups, to reduce these risks. Desktop-as-a-Service providers offer centralised client data backup and storage, as well as disaster recovery replication of the full virtual desktop environment to a backup location. For enhanced security, DaaS providers can keep older copies of the organisation’s data on file in compliance with legal and policy requirements. Without relying entirely on manual backups and IT teams, businesses can guarantee seamless and uninterrupted access to applications and data by choosing DaaS.
Every user activity, including logins, file transfers, and other operations, is typically tracked by DaaS systems’ thorough audit trails. As many rules demand businesses to keep thorough records of user activity, this might be especially crucial for compliance-related reasons. Because they offer centralised management over data and access as well as more sophisticated security and auditing features, DaaS solutions are more compliant than conventional desktops. Moreover, DaaS providers put in place robust security and safety measures, such as access controls, surveillance, and fire suppression systems, to protect their infrastructure where the VDI instances are hosted. This improves the DaaS solution’s overall security and compliance posture, making it a viable choice for companies in highly regulated industries.
VDI solutions have become more popular as organisations look to maintain productivity while employees work from distributed locations. DaaS systems can be readily scaled up or down to meet shifting demands, which has been especially helpful for businesses during the pandemic as they have had to adapt to the changing workforce needs and evolving workloads. Businesses also benefitted from more flexibility with DaaS solutions as they can select the level of support they require.
In conclusion, virtual desktop services have revolutionised the way desktop computing is being consumed. DaaS, as opposed to conventional desktops, allows enterprises to do away with costly hardware investments, along with the ensuing maintenance and support costs. Since they can access their systems from any location and on any device, employees have more flexibility and are more productive. DaaS also provides improved security and data protection because all data is stored on the cloud and only authorised users can access it. DaaS is gaining popularity quickly on account of its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of management, yet traditional desktops may still have a place in some businesses. Overall, DaaS is a better solution that can assist companies in streamlining their operations and adjusting to the rapidly evolving technology environment.
