Cloud Data Security: How Secure is Cloud Virtual Desktop?
5 min read
In the era of ransomware attacks where even big giants like NBA and Quanta suffered cyber threats, every business is rooting for data security.
On the other hand, many businesses are still operating online and using work from home models. They need to secure data transmission and access to applications and data.
Hence, cloud virtual desktops/DaaS seem like an optimum choice as they offer premium security features and support remote working as well.
Cloud virtual desktop hosting is more secure than using office desktops. When you store data on PC hard drives, you are risking your applications and data every minute. Any issue with the system will simply wipe away all your essential files. Hackers can also easily access traditional systems and leak your data online. However, your data is safe from such threats with virtual cloud desktops.
To understand how cloud virtual desktops function, check the security measures taken by DaaS Providers.
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Why are Cloud Virtual Desktops Secure and Compliant?
On your PC or endpoint devices, phishing emails can easily lead to business losses. Your system may freeze, and you may lose your data forever. Cloud virtual desktops avoid these attacks by creating thin clients that don’t store data on endpoints.
Let’s see how cloud desktops function to offer security:
Regular updates
When you use in-office desktops, it is easy to ignore operating system or browser updates. Different employees regularly use these computers, and they may ignore the updates to avoid interrupting their tasks.
However, in the world of security, this situation is an open door to cyber threats. Whether browser or OS, many updates protect your data and applications from malware and viruses.
On virtual cloud desktops, the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) handles these updates. The provider looks after your security and ensures regular updates. Whenever there’s an update in the virtual desktop, your CSP offers support for these updates (without taking downtime or causing disruption).
Auto patching
For small, medium, and enterprise-level businesses, finding an expert security professional is not always a hassle-free activity. However, cloud providers already have a team of experienced professionals ensuring patching. Based on continuous monitoring and specialist evaluation, your CSP will regularly find vulnerabilities in the system and mitigate issues via patching features.
Firewall support
The cloud uses external and internal firewalls to ensure data security and authorized access to documents.
A firewall is an implementation that creates a wall between unauthorized access and your virtual desktop. You can use both internal and external firewalls.
External firewalls filter suspicious traffic and ensure that no one without access can open your virtual cloud desktop. For instance, the cloud provider offers multi-factor authentication or two-factor authentication. This means any employee trying to access a virtual cloud desktop needs to key in credentials and pass different levels of authentication.
Similarly, internal firewalls or software firewalls apply rules for internal access. There are many employees in an organization, and not every employee should get complete data access. For example, you can’t reveal crucial accounting data to the design team. For this reason, internal firewalls help decide who can access which application and data in virtual desktops.
Server redundancy
Can you recover your data in case of a cyberattack?
What can you do when the hardware fails?
What if you are experiencing a power outage?
How will you access your accounting data in times of a disaster or pandemic?
Cloud virtual desktops use the server redundancy principle. This means that you are migrating desktops to the cloud and then copying the applications and data to several other data centers. These data centers are usually in geographically distant locations.
There are various benefits of this principle:
- You can recover your data immediately in case of a disaster. Contact your provider for support on data recovery.
- You get an uptime of more than 95%, offering smooth business operations throughout the year.
- If one server fails, you get access to another server for smooth business functioning.
Data encryption
Over the years, every business has learned to encrypt data in transmission. Cloud virtual desktops are no different. Reputed DaaS providers use TLS 1.3 or 256-bit encryption or a similar encryption technique to secure your data. Hackers won’t be able to decipher data without the decryption key. Hence, even when a hacker diverts the data mid-transmission, your sensitive information is safe.
Physical security of data center
Ultimately, your virtual cloud desktops are taking up space somewhere on physical hardware units. To secure this hardware infrastructure, cloud providers use various security measures, such as:
- Security staff to take care of the premises
- CCTV surveillance
- Authorized access via biometrics, etc.
- Regular server audits
Compliance support
Many government rules and regulations expect different organizations in varied industries to follow different compliances. This includes GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), HIPAA, CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), PCI DSS, etc.
So, when you are selecting a cloud virtual desktop provider, identify these compliance requirements. If the provider is compliant and certified, your security will be optimum.
For example, a healthcare organization would want to follow HIPAA compliance to ensure patient-doctor confidentiality.
Endpoint security
When your business migrates data to the cloud, it is stored on the server. From there, the provider/administrator creates virtual machines (or thin clients) and groups them. These virtual machines or virtual desktops are accessed via a virtual connection by your employees.
If your employees are using different endpoints, such as a mobile or tablet, they will still access the data on the cloud server. No data or application is stored on the end device. If this endpoint suffers a cyberattack or crashes, your data is safe—change the credentials, remove its access, and restore your system.
Cloud Data Security For Your business
If you are planning a migration to cloud virtual desktops, understanding the above security measures is crucial. Knowing cloud architecture and security ensures that you are signing the deal. Find the right provider offering these security controls and measures to manage your applications and data on virtual desktops.
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