How IGEL and Omnissa Deliver Secure and Efficient User Desktop and Application Solutions

In the modern world of information technology, where cybersecurity and efficiency are paramount, organizations are increasingly turning towards Virtual Desktops, Virtual Apps and DaaS services to streamline operations and ensure secure access to corporate resources. IGEL Technology and Omnissa are two of the leading players in the industry.

To begin to understand the impact of these two companies’ solutions, imagine a self-service approach to onboarding and accessing corporate computing resources. Simply adding users to an organization domain, the when, where, and how an end user sets up his or her workstation and gains secure access to applications is a completely automated process requiring no operational support from IT.

In this article, we will explore how these two companies work together to ensure flexible, scalable, secure, and cost-efficient access to virtual desktops and applications while delivering:

• End-to-End Security
• Service Continuity
• Enhanced User Experience
• Cost Savings

Meeting In the Middle

IGEL and Omnissa each provide separate halves of the desktop and application delivery solution stack. Omnissa manages the secure delivery of desktops and applications, and IGEL securely connects users to their desktop and application resources.

IGEL – The Endpoint Device Solution

The IGEL solution begins with the IGEL Secure Endpoint OS (aka IGEL OS).  IGEL OS is a highly secure, fully encrypted, lightweight operating system designed specifically for accessing desktops and applications delivered by Omnissa. It provides unparalleled endpoint security through IGEL’s Preventative Security Model™ to ensure device integrity and improve stability while reducing its attack surface, which minimizes the risk of cyber threats like malware, ransomware, and other vulnerabilities.

IGEL includes unified management that offers centralized control of all IGEL OS-powered devices.  This is achieved through a next-generation cloud platform called IGEL Cloud Services that includes the IGEL App Portal, the IGEL Onboarding Service, Licensing, and Insights.

This combination of IGEL OS and IGEL Cloud Services provides device deployment and configuration, control over local applications, and secure access to computing resources delivered by Omnissa.

Omnissa – The Desktop and Application Service Solution

Omnissa Horizon 8 enables the creation and management of virtual desktops and applications, and it also incorporates security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), support for smart cards, and secure tunneling through the Unified Access Gateway.

To reduce the time and complexity of desktop management and application updates, Omnissa provides streamlined deployment and automation through technologies such as Instant Clones, which enable rapid provisioning of desktops, and App Volumes, for on-demand delivery of applications.

Omnissa Workspace ONE is a support platform that integrates device management, application management, access control, and more into a unified solution.  It includes Identity and Access Management to provide secure single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensuring secure access to applications.  Workspace ONE also incorporates robust security features such as conditional access policies, data loss prevention, and real-time security monitoring.

Finally, through the Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub running on an IGEL edge device, IT administrators can view and control devices in the Workspace ONE UEM Console and proactively monitor users’ workplace experience using DEX.

Putting Everything Together

With IGEL and Omnissa fully in place, a user’s initial deployment of a workstation and connection to his or her computing resources works as follows:

1. Powers up the workstation device running IGEL OS.
2. Configures the network connection, wired or wireless as required
3. Authenticates against IGEL Onboarding Service using domain credentials
   1. IGEL Onboarding Services connects to Omnissa Identity Service
   2. Multi-factor Authentication is used when required
4. The IGEL device is configured, updated, and the requisite applications (e.g. Omnissa Horizon Client, Omnissa Intelligent Hub, Zoom VDI Plugin, etc.) are automatically installed.
5. User is prompted to register the IGEL device with Workspace ONE UEM.
6. The IGEL device presents the user with Omnissa Access Login screen.
7. User logs into Omnissa Access portal using MFA as required.
8. User is automatically connected using SSO (access tokens) to Horizon Desktop using Horizon Blast protocol
   1. Desktop is automatically provisioned by Horizon management plane
9. User applications are delivered on-demand using Horizon App Volumes

After initial deployment of the workstation, future connections to the Horizon desktop and application resources begin with the Omnissa Access Login screen (Step #6 above).

Conclusion

The combination of the IGEL Secure Endpoint OS, IGEL Cloud Services, and Omnissa Horizon backed by Workspace ONE represents a powerful, cost-effective, and secure solution for delivering virtual desktops and applications. IGEL transforms everyday hardware into secure and efficient endpoints, while Omnissa provides the robust Horizon platform for accessing corporate resources from anywhere, anytime. Together, they offer enterprises a secure, manageable, and scalable VDI environment that meets the demands of a modern workforce.

To learn more about IGEL and Omnissa, visit the IGEL Omnissa Partner web page or complete the online webform to test IGEL OS with Omnissa Horizon and Workspace ONE.