Intelligent Data Centres Issue 07 | Page 70

THE EDGE Agility and security Running on a hyperconverged Edge Computing solution, the VDI deployment can provide improved workforce agility at an affordable cost. Employees can log-on securely to any machine on the network and gain access to their files, emails and applications – they’re not just limited to PC terminals but can load their personal desktop or applications on their mobile device or tablet. Running a VDI deployment in this way also offers a cost-effective and secure method to extend network access beyond the office walls and provide remote access to employees wherever they are. Plus, the IT team can receive automated alerts that flag potentially suspicious activity or log users out of an account that has been inactive for a pre-agreed time. Generic sign-ins are often used across organisations as a speedy way for employees to access multiple machines, but they do pose potentially huge security problems. Whether it is doctors accessing patient records or retailers handling sensitive financial data, in both cases, companies are legally responsible for protecting end-user data. Failure to do so risks reputational damage and even prosecution. VDI, in an Edge environment, is able to deal with these potential issues by making 70 Issue 07 it quick and easy for employees to log in across multiple machines with their own Active Directory credentials. This technology also offers multi- factor authentication to guard against unauthorised access, ensuring businesses stay compliant with consumer data protection laws such as HIPAA, GDPR and PCI. BYOD becomes cost effective to manage too and no longer an issue that raises operational and security concerns. An employee’s personal mobile device, laptop or tablet can be integrated onto an officially-sanctioned VDI environment. This takes it from a potential security risk, to a secure, authorised and monitored network device where information is protected from accidental disclosure and loss. The changing face of VDI Although VDI has always had the potential to enable improved workforce agility and centralised network management, for some time, IT analysts and industry experts stated that VDI adoption was relatively slow. Hardly surprising as it was previously hindered by high cost, complicated software licensing and weak network connections. Now, with the advent of hyperconverged Edge Computing and the reductions in cost and complexity it brings, businesses of all kinds and sizes can benefit from VDI technology. IT teams and end-users can easily adopt VDI thanks to the added functionality, improvements to network response times and significant simplification of system management. Being able to create offsite backups at remote locations or in the cloud provides an added layer of IT resilience and security, while automation and centralisation capabilities now take care of the most important, but time-consuming, heavy-lifting. Thanks to the perfect pairing of Edge Computing and HCI, it’s hardly surprising that VDI has risen in popularity in recent years and this growth is not set to slow down any time soon. ◊ IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, EDGE COMPUTING AND HYPER- CONVERGENCE HAVE DISRUPTED THE VDI MARKET. www.intelligentdatacentres.com