Using Windows Hello for Business with Remote Access on Windows 10

Microsoft IT shares how they implemented Windows Hello for Business for their thousands of remote workers that enter the corporate network through the companies VPN.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

June 30, 2016

2 Min Read
Using Windows Hello for Business with Remote Access on Windows 10

Yesterday, I shared a Microsoft IT Showcase white paper about Windows Hello for Business that provided the background and details about the security feature in Windows 10.

One of the features for Windows Hello on the latest Microsoft operating system is the ability to use that authentication method with Remote Access which so many companies employ today.

Well today there is a new white paper from the Microsoft IT folks that shows how exactly they enabled Windows Hello with the 25,000 to 45,000 employees who remotely access their VPN on any given day of the week.

By implementing Windows Hello into their IT infrastructure it provided the following benefits:

  • A single VPN solution to support our 180,000+ global users.

  • A preferred credential backed by certificate-based authentication, providing a seamless sign in experience and connection to resources from outside the corporate network.

  • The ability to “just work” with our existing VPN solution as machines upgrade to Windows 10 November update.

  • Compliance with corporate policies using our preferred device management solution.

Windows Hello for Business uses either a private/public key pair or certificate based credentials for identity validation which is much more secure than passwords.

The new Windows Hello features are available for any organization running the Windows 10 November Update (Version 1511, Build 10586.xxx) on their client devices.

The white paper goes on to show how Microsoft IT has configured their hardware to support not only Windows 10 but Windows 7 and 8.1 as well.

Down the road they plan to incorporate conditional access which quarantines a users system until it is confirmed to have all the latest security updates, auto-connect to VPN so the network remains connected without further login or validation and VPN profiles through Microsoft Intune and System Center Configuration Manager to replace Connection Manager.

Be sure to download the white paper and add it to your collection of resources for future reference.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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