Overview: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Quick Definition

A Virutal Desktop Infrastructure, or VDI, is a software infrastructure and set of processes for enabling users to interact with the desktop environment of one computer from another remote computing device. Sometimes also called "remote desktop" software, VDI systems enable organizations to maximize human and technical resources by eliminating the need for users to be physically present at a workstation in order to be productive.

For obvious reasons, VDI environments thus also present unique cybersecurity and authentication concerns that must be addressed by organizations that deploy them.

Commonly used VDI platforms are offered by both VMWare and Citrix, amongst many others.