Virtualized Desktops Grow Up: Mapping the Intersection of Management and Security

Desktop virtualization is booming – but not for the reasons we anticipated as recently as 18 months ago. Rather than replacing physical PCs, desktop virtualization offers to transcend existing methods of managing and securing desktops. Its appeal is unlikely to be based on economics relative to a physical PC – additional storage may, in fact, make it more costly. The technology sells on its ability to efficiently manage, define and update a workspace image, whether hosted on the server or the client, as well as the resulting security benefits. By providing a centralized point of control and enforcing a consistent execution environment, desktop virtualization can improve security.

Through the central management of user configurations, the scope now exists to define specific correlations between users and applications. However, desktop virtualization can compound the challenge of virtualization management, especially at the hypervisor layer. Change brings risks. Tighter integration with other policy stores and granular entitlement provisioning will further extend desktop virtualization’s value. This report examines the intersection of management and security for virtualized desktops, including end-user perspectives, current and future use cases, and an in-depth user deployment study, as well as a discussion of partnership and M&A.

ESP clients can download the report by logging in on the left hand side under the client access box.

For more details about this report or about the 451 Security Program in general, please fill out the form above, or contact our sales staff:

By email at , or by phone at 212 505 3030 in the US.

Note to Clients: If you have purchased access to this report, you can download it by logging in on the left, at the bottom of the client access box. After logging in, a link to download the report will appear. If the link does not appear for download after logging in, please contact your Account Representative or .

About The 451 Group

The 451 Group is an independent technology industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The company’s analysts provide critical and timely insight into the market and competitive dynamics of innovation in emerging technology segments. Clients of the company – at vendor, investor, service- provider and end-user organizations – rely on 451 insight to support both strategic and tactical decision-making for competitive advantage.

The 451 Group is headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including San Francisco, London and Boston. For additional information on the company or to apply for trial access to its services, go to: www.the451group.com