At HybrIT, we’ve been delivering secure, cloud-based desktop solutions using Windows 365 (W365) and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) for the past few years. We’ve seen first-hand how these platforms can help customers achieve and maintain Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) accreditation, while also transforming the way they manage and secure end-user computing environments. For organisations serious about information security and compliance, W365 and AVD offer a powerful and flexible foundation.
Supporting CE+ Goals with W365 and AVD
Cyber Essentials Plus is the UK government-backed certification that demonstrates a strong stance on cybersecurity. Unlike the basic Cyber Essentials certification, CE+ includes a hands-on technical verification process.
This is where Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop shine
Rather than relying solely on physical desktops and laptops that can be hard to manage and secure, especially in a hybrid working world, W365 and AVD provide centralised, cloud-hosted desktops that are always up-to-date, configured securely, and easily managed.
Whether you're deploying for a handful of users or rolling out virtual desktops across your entire business, both platforms offer:
Centralised configuration and control
Consistent policy enforcement
Strong identity and access management
Seamless integration with Microsoft security and compliance tools
Enabling BYOD Without Compromising Security
A major challenge for CE+ accreditation is managing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) usage. Employees often prefer to use personal devices, especially in remote or hybrid setups. But traditional endpoints used in BYOD models are notoriously difficult to control from a security and compliance standpoint.
With W365 and AVD, you can support BYOD securely by separating the corporate environment from the local device. Here's how:
Windows 365 creates a Cloud PC that users access via a secure portal, with no data stored on the personal device.
AVD allows secure virtual desktop access with granular controls around copy/paste, printing, and local device redirection.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Conditional Access policies ensure only authorised users gain access.
The result is a secure workspace that can be accessed from anywhere, on any device, without increasing risk or compromising CE+ compliance.
Leveraging M365 Security and Compliance Tools
Both Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop are deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This means you can leverage Microsoft’s powerful security and compliance tools in tandem to create an overarching protection and management layer.
Some examples:
Microsoft Intune can be used to apply policies, enforce compliance, and monitor endpoint health across Cloud PCs and AVD sessions.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint delivers advanced threat protection, real-time monitoring, and attack surface reduction.
Microsoft Purview provides data loss prevention (DLP), information protection, and compliance auditing.
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) powers secure access, identity governance, and Conditional Access.
Together, these tools create a unified security framework that supports both operational needs and compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus requirements.
Benefits for CE+ Organisations
Organisations working towards CE+ or maintaining their accreditation will find several other compelling reasons to consider W365 or AVD such as:
Rapid Response to Threats
With desktops hosted in Azure, you can quickly respond to any threat. Compromised sessions can be terminated, VMs reset, and access revoked almost instantly.
Patch Management Made Simple
W365 and AVD both support streamlined patching, ensuring all devices are updated with the latest security patches and system updates.
Scalable and Predictable Security
As your business grows or your threat landscape changes, you can scale your virtual desktop environment accordingly, applying consistent security policies across the board.
Reduced Risk from Lost or Stolen Devices
If a user loses their laptop or has a device stolen, there’s no corporate data stored locally. You can simply block the session and prevent any data loss.
Audit Trails and Visibility
AVD and W365 provide visibility into user sessions, access patterns, and device health – all crucial for CE+ audits and internal reviews.
Thick Clients vs W365 / AVD
As with many of our customers, they’re keen to understand the key areas and benefits that different solutions can offer. To help make this clearer, we often produce comparison overviews. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of managing a traditional thick client estate (which many still use) versus leveraging Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop:
Feature | Traditional Thick Clients | Windows 365 / AVD |
BYOD Support | Limited, complex to secure | Fully supported via virtual access |
Data Storage | Local to device | Cloud-hosted in Azure |
Patch Management | Manual or varied by location | Centralised and automated |
Device Loss/Theft Risk | High – data on device | Low – data in cloud |
Remote Access | VPN dependent, often slow | Secure, fast, browser-based |
Conditional Access / MFA | Inconsistent | Fully integrated with Azure AD |
Compliance Visibility | Fragmented across devices | Centralised logging and analytics |
Setup and Provisioning | Time-consuming | Rapid and scalable |
Policy Enforcement | Varies per device | Consistent via Intune & M365 tools |
We still need to take into account the differences between the two solutions themselves. Windows 365 is designed to be extremely quick and straightforward to set up and deploy, making it ideal for organisations looking for a simple, out-of-the-box experience with minimal configuration. On the other hand, Azure Virtual Desktop requires a bit more technical expertise to implement and manage, but it offers greater flexibility and enhanced capabilities.
For example, it allows you to optimise costs by scaling down cloud resources when users aren't logged in, which can lead to significant savings over time.
Speak to our Team
For any organisation striving to become Cyber Essentials Plus certified, or looking to retain their status while modernising their IT setup, Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop offer a practical and highly secure path forward.
At HybrIT, we've seen how deploying these tools not only simplifies desktop management but also strengthens compliance, enhances flexibility, and ultimately improves the end-user experience.
We’re proud to have helped a wide range of customers embrace this modern approach – combining secure access, strong identity controls, and Microsoft’s extensive security suite into one cohesive solution.
If you’re considering W365 or AVD as part of your Cyber Essentials Plus strategy, our team is here to help design, deploy, and manage a solution tailored to your needs. Let’s have a chat.
contact: microsoftteam@hybrit.co.uk
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