Citrix was back in the spotlight earlier this year after another zero-day vulnerability in NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. If your organization relies on Citrix, that incident may have raised valid concerns about how secure and sustainable your current infrastructure really is.
Attackers now move faster than legacy systems can keep up, leaving IT teams caught in a constant loop of patching and downtime. If you’re considering taking that next step and migrating to a modern, cloud-based desktop solution, Sparta Services can help you make the move with confidence. As a Microsoft Partner with deep expertise in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365, we’ve developed a proven migration framework that helps organizations transition from Citrix or on-prem environments securely.
A Quick Recap of the Citrix Zero-Day Attack
In August, Citrix disclosed a zero-day vulnerability in its NetScaler ADC and Gateway products that was being actively exploited. The flaw allowed unauthenticated attackers to perform remote code execution on affected systems, giving them potential access to internal networks.
Citrix quickly released security updates and urged customers to patch their systems, but not all organizations were able to respond immediately, leaving some exposed during the initial wave of attacks.
Challenges of Managing Legacy Citrix and On-Prem Desktops
While Citrix and on-prem virtual desktop environments have served organizations well for years, maintaining them has become increasingly difficult. Aside from the administrative burden, the growing number of known Citrix vulnerabilities has made it harder to ensure consistent protection. Older systems, especially those nearing end of support, often lack the rapid response and built-in security features needed to defend against modern attacks.
Here are some of the biggest challenges we see with legacy Citrix and on-prem environments:
- Ongoing maintenance and patching: Constant updates, version conflicts, and licensing renewals stretch IT teams thin and increase downtime risk.
- Rising security exposure: Known Citrix vulnerabilities, including recent NetScaler zero-days, have shown how quickly attackers exploit legacy systems.
- Limited scalability: Expanding for hybrid or remote teams often requires costly hardware and complex configurations.
- High infrastructure and support costs: Aging systems demand more time, energy, and resources to keep running securely.
Moving From Legacy System to Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
As the pressure to maintain and secure legacy environments grows, many organizations are turning to cloud-based desktop solutions for a more sustainable approach. Desktop as a Service (DaaS) takes the complexity out of managing on-prem infrastructure by delivering virtual desktops directly from the cloud.
As these issues compound, many are finding the answer in cloud-based desktop solutions. The shift to Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is gaining momentum, offering a modern alternative that addresses the very challenges traditional systems struggle with such as security, scalability, and manageability.
According to Gartner, Microsoft now leads the DaaS market with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365, giving organizations an enterprise-grade path to modern desktop delivery. Both platforms are designed to help organizations securely modernize remote and hybrid work environments through Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.
Choosing Between Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365
Microsoft offers two powerful Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions: Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365. Both deliver secure, cloud-hosted desktops, but the main difference lies in how they’re managed and delivered.
While AVD gives organizations full control and flexibility over their environments, which is ideal for large or complex infrastructures, Windows 365 delivers a simple, user-friendly Cloud PC experience that’s great for smaller teams or businesses looking for good performance with minimal IT management.
Let’s take a closer look at how both platforms compare:
| Feature | Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) | Windows 365 (Cloud PC) |
| Management | IT-managed and highly configurable | Fully managed by Microsoft |
| Network & Infrastructure Control | You configure networking, subnets, and storage resources in Azure | Networking is handled automatically by Microsoft (unless using Windows 365 Enterprise) |
| User Experience | Multi-session; shared virtual machines | Single-session; dedicated Cloud PC per user |
| Cost Model | Pay-as-you-go based on usage | Fixed monthly price per user |
| Best For | Organizations needing flexibility, control, and Azure integration | Teams wanting simplicity, consistency, and minimal IT overhead |
If you’re unsure which model is the best fit for your organization, Sparta Services can help advise on the right approach. Our team guides you through choosing, migrating, or even blending AVD and Windows 365 to create a solution that fits your business’ long-term needs.
Sparta Service’s Proven Citrix to AVD Migration Path
Migrating from Citrix or on-prem desktops to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) or Windows 365 doesn’t have to be disruptive or complex. With the right approach, your organization can make the move smoothly while maintaining business continuity.
Sparta Services follows a proven four-step migration framework designed to minimize downtime and risk:
- Assessment & Planning – We start by evaluating your current environment, workloads, and user needs to build a clear migration roadmap.
- Design & Pilot – A tailored architecture is designed and tested to validate performance, security, and user experience before full rollout.
- Migration Execution – Our team manages the transition with minimal disruption to daily operations.
- Optimization & Support – After go-live, we continuously monitor, fine-tune performance, and provide managed support to keep your environment running smoothly.
Security Benefits of Migrating to AVD or Windows 365
One of the biggest advantages of moving to AVD or Windows 365 is the improvement in security and compliance. Unlike legacy systems, cloud desktops significantly reduce the attack surface as there are no exposed gateways or on-premises access points that attackers can exploit.
Through Microsoft’s ecosystem, organizations gain built-in protection with Microsoft Defender, secure identity management via Entra ID, and conditional access policies that ensure users connect safely from any device or location.
In addition, continuous compliance monitoring and audit-ready reporting make it easier to meet organizational and regulatory requirements without the manual effort traditional systems demand. Together, these features create a proactive security posture that protects data and reduce security oversight in a hybrid workplace.
Cost & Performance Benefits of Migrating to AVD or Windows 365
Moving to a modern, cloud-based desktop environment brings measurable advantages for both IT teams and end users. Beyond the immediate gains in flexibility and security, the long-term impact can transform how your organization operates day to day.
Key benefits of migrating to AVD or Windows 365 include:
- Cost shift from CapEx to OpEx: Replace large, upfront hardware purchases with a flexible, pay-as-you-go model that scales with your needs and keeps budgeting predictable.
- Lower infrastructure overhead: Reduce maintenance, patching, and support costs as your desktop infrastructure moves fully to the cloud.
- Consistent, high-performance experience: Give employees fast, reliable access to their desktops and applications from anywhere, improving collaboration and uptime.
- Empowered hybrid work: Create a secure, adaptable workspace that enables productivity and connection, no matter where or how your teams choose to work.
Why Organizations Should Act Now
The Citrix security incident shows how quickly attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities, and older systems will only continue to demand more attention while introducing greater risk. Now is the time to move to a modern, cloud-based environment and strengthen your security posture before the next threat emerges.
Ready to Migrate from Citrix to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)?
Making the move from on-prem desktops to AVD or Windows 365 doesn’t have to be complicated. With Sparta’s Cloud Desktop Readiness Assessment, you’ll get a clear picture of your current environment and a step-by-step plan to migrate smoothly and securely. From planning to ongoing operations, our 24/7 managed services keep your environment optimized, monitored, and protected around the clock.
Book a consultation today and build a scalable, future-ready IT foundation that empowers your employees to work safely from anywhere.
Dave Galy
Dave Galy is the founder and CEO of Sparta Services
