This article presents an expert’s viewpoint on how businesses might shift internal web application use cases that are now secured by virtual desktop infrastructure to remote browser isolation (VDI).
In the past, VDI had proven helpful for securing remote work, especially when users depended on desktop apps.
However, the disadvantages of VDI such as high prices, poor user experience, and complexity have become harder to overlook as web-based programs have gained popularity at the expense of desktop software.
In response, we provide helpful advice and a step-by-step plan for moving away from VDI so that businesses may cut costs and increase productivity by enhancing employee satisfaction and reducing administrative burdens.
Problems with VDI
1. High prices
VDI in practice typically looks very different. Particularly for capital and operational costs, it turns out to be far more expensive than businesses predict. Over 90% of virtual desktop efforts that are implemented simply to save costs will fall short of their goals.
2. User experience is subpar
Additionally, VDI provides a poor user experience. Users can still distinguish between using programs directly vs through a virtual desktop, and expectations for seamless IT solutions have only grown while remote work.
Inadequately scaled VDI settings might cause sluggish, latent, and inattentive performance. Poor user experiences can have a detrimental effect on staff retention, productivity, and security (as users seek remedies outside of VDI).
3. Complexity
VDI is a notoriously difficult technology. The initial setup process is complex and labor-intensive, including the purchase of infrastructure and end-user licenses, the planning of VM capabilities and capacity, the virtualization of apps, the configuration of network connectivity, and the deployment of VDI thin clients.
Because creating security policies is frequently the last phase, it is occasionally forgotten, resulting in security holes.
Virtual Desktop application cases that can be offloaded via remote browser isolation
Organizations are looking at methods to move use cases off from VDI, especially when on-premise, in order to prevent these frictions.
Today’s workforces rely on a large number of browser-based apps that are hosted in public, hybrid, or SaaS cloud environments or, on occasion, in old data centers.
As a result, using contemporary technologies like remote web browsing isolation (RBI) as an option to start offloading VDI tasks and move security to the cloud increasingly makes sense.
Similar to VDI, Browser Isolation reduces the attack vector by running all applications and web code elsewhere, in this example, on Cloudflare’s global network, which is remote from endpoints.
In the process, it can shield those endpoints from dangers like ransomware, phishing, and even zero-day attacks, as well as safeguard data in use within the site from untrustworthy people and devices.
Administrators, much like VDI, may define policies within an insulated browser to secure sensitive data on every web-based or SaaS program. Examples of controls include limitations on keyboard inputs, copy and paste, file uploads and downloads, and printing capabilities.
Anything that takes the place of VDI must perform better. Administrators must carefully monitor what users like and hate about the additional services in order to influence user behaviors and promote adoption.
Coordination between several teams from IT, security, networking, and virtual desktop operators will unavoidably be required while retiring VDI. To get past any obstacles, it is essential to build trust and common working methods.
Gradually expand and learn. Before implementing each stage more extensively, test it out with a small group of users and applications to see what works (and does not).
To win over users and executives, start by putting clientless web isolation to the test for a few select apps.
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