Agencies Enable Secure Access from Anywhere
While virtual desktop infrastructure has existed for more than a decade, the technology is just starting to take off for some state and local governments.
ODOT was an early adopter of VDI in government. About six years ago, the agency first began shifting its traditional computing framework to VDI. By moving desktop hosting to a central server, the technology gives workers secure access to the apps and data on a desktop from any approved endpoint with a network connection.
Citrix Workspace, which they’ve used in limited capacity for about two years, provides a single-pane view of the VDI environment. An employee or outside contractor simply has to log in to a Citrix account and click the appropriate tile to connect to ODOT’s virtual desktops or apps.
Before the spring, ODOT had deployed the platform to only a fraction of the agency’s workforce, Ash says. But then COVID-19 came along, and the rollout was pushed into overdrive. “It definitely wasn’t the way we planned it, but it wound up being a huge success,” he says. “In short, it’s connected our users to the tools they need so that they can continue to function and keep ODOT moving.”