Create Secure Desktop Environments for Remote Work with RDS

25 Jul 2025, by Micron21

Remote work has fundamentally changed how organisations approach IT infrastructure and security.  Over the past few months, we've explored various aspects of securing remote work environments, from combating increased cyberthreats to implementing IPsec VPNs for secure communication.  However, one crucial area we haven't covered as yet is that of  Remote Desktop Services (RDS)  –  a powerful solution that hosts desktop environments entirely in the cloud alongside your infrastructure.

RDS offers a unique approach to remote work security by centralising computing resources and data in secure data centres rather than relying on potentially vulnerable local devices.  This article will explore what RDS environments are, their key benefits for security and system administration, as well as what the important considerations are for successful implementation.

What are Remote Desktop Services (RDS)?

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a technology that allows users to access a full desktop environment hosted on remote servers rather than using their local computer directly.  Instead of storing applications, files, and computing power on individual devices, everything runs on centralised servers in data centres, with users connecting to these virtual desktops through their internet connection.

Think of RDS as having your office computer available from anywhere – but instead of the computer sitting on your desk, it's hosted securely in a professional data centre.  Users can access their familiar desktop environment, applications, and files from any device with an internet connection, whether they're working from home, travelling, or in a different office location.

Main Use Cases for RDS Implementation

Organisations typically implement RDS environments for several compelling reasons.  Many businesses choose RDS to provide consistent access to specialised software that may be expensive to license across multiple devices or requires significant computing resources.  Others use it to ensure all employees have access to the same standardised desktop environment, regardless of their personal device capabilities.

RDS is particularly valuable for businesses with compliance requirements, as it centralises data storage and processing in controlled environments.  It's also an excellent solution for organisations with staff who travel frequently or work from various locations, as it provides seamless access to work resources from any internet-connected device.

The Main Reasons for Using Remote Desktop Environments

There are three primary drivers that lead organisations to implement RDS solutions, each offering distinct advantages for modern business operations.

Enhanced Security Through Centralised Infrastructure

The most significant benefit of RDS is the enhanced security that comes from hosting your systems and data alongside your infrastructure within secure data centres, rather than on local devices.  When employees work directly from laptops or home computers, sensitive business data is stored and processed on devices that may lack enterprise-grade security measures.

With RDS, all data processing occurs within your controlled server environment.  This means sensitive information never actually leaves the data centre – only screen images and keyboard inputs are transmitted between the user's device and the remote desktop.  Even if a user's local device is compromised or stolen, your business data remains secure in the data centre.

Simplified Management and Administration

RDS environments offer tremendous advantages for system administration compared to managing distributed endpoint devices.  When desktops are hosted as infrastructure in the cloud,  IT teams can easily ensure all systems remain up-to-date with the latest security patches and software versions.

While Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools can help manage client-side infrastructure – trying to ensure that everything remains current and secure across numerous distributed devices can present ongoing challenges.  This is where the benefit of RDS comes in because administrators can update applications, deploy patches, and manage configurations centrally with the changes being immediately available to all users.  Not only that, but this centralised approach of RDS also makes it much easier to ensure that only approved applications are installed and that security policies are consistently enforced.

Consistent Performance and Resource Allocation

RDS environments provide predictable performance by allocating specific computing resources to each user session.  This eliminates the variability that comes with users accessing business applications on personal devices with different specifications, operating systems, and configurations.  Everyone gets the same consistent experience, regardless of whether they're connecting from a basic laptop or a high-end workstation.

Things to Keep in Mind When Implementing Remote Desktop Services

Successful RDS implementation requires careful planning around several key factors that will determine both performance and cost-effectiveness.

Determine Your Application Requirements

Before implementing RDS, you need to clearly understand what applications and tasks your remote desktops will support.  Basic office administration involving Word, Excel, email, and web browsing has very different resource requirements compared to graphically intensive applications such as video editing, CAD software, or 3D rendering.

For standard business applications, CPU-based RDS environments are typically sufficient and cost-effective.  However, if your users will be running graphics-intensive software, you'll likely need RDS infrastructure with dedicated GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) resources.  GPU-enabled RDS environments cost more but are essential for applications that require hardware-accelerated graphics processing.

Plan for User Capacity and Resource Requirements

Accurate forecasting of user numbers is crucial for both licensing and infrastructure sizing.  You'll need to consider not just the total number of users who will access the system, but also how many will be connected simultaneously during peak usage periods.

Resource requirements vary significantly based on specific applications and usage patterns, but general guidelines suggest allocating approximately 2-4 GB of RAM and 2-4 CPU cores per concurrent user for standard business applications.  However, these are rough estimates, as organisations using resource-intensive applications may require significantly more resources per user, whilst those with lighter workloads might need less.

It's important to note that these requirements are highly individualised and depend heavily on your specific software stack and user behaviour patterns.  Working with an experienced infrastructure provider can help you accurately size your environment based on your particular use case.

Secure Communication Remains Critical

While Remote Desktop Services centralises your computing environment, the connection between users and their remote desktops still requires robust security measures.  Having unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections remain one of the most significant attack vectors for threats like ransomware attacks - hence it is essential to ensure proper connection security protocals have been implemented.

We strongly recommend restricting RDP access to users who have first authenticated to your company network via VPN, ideally configured with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).  This approach, which we detailed in our previous article on how IPsec VPNs secure communication for remote work, creates multiple layers of security.

By requiring VPN authentication before allowing RDP connections, you significantly reduce your attack surface and minimise the risk of malicious actors using RDP as an entry point into your systems.  This layered security approach ensures that even if one security measure is compromised, additional protections remain in place.

Building Your Secure Remote Work Foundation

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) represent a powerful approach to creating secure, manageable remote work environments.  By centralising computing resources and data in professional data centres, RDS eliminates many of the security and management challenges associated with distributed remote work setups.

The key to successful RDS implementation sits in careful planning around your specific requirements – in particular, understanding your applications, accurately forecasting user needs, as well as implementing robust security measures for remote connections.  While the initial setup requires thoughtful consideration, the long-term benefits in security, manageability, and user experience make RDS an invaluable tool for organisations committed to secure remote work.

Have Any Questions about RDS, RDP or Implementation?

If you have any questions about Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or are looking to implement this type of system within your infrastructure, we're here to help!  Our experienced team can work with you to assess your requirements, design an appropriate solution, and help get everything set up correctly and securely.

Reach out to us on 1300 769 972 (Option #1) or email us at sales@micron21.com and we'll be able to work with you to create a secure and efficient remote desktop environment that meets your organisation's specific needs.