Question 213 - CISA discussion

The major advantage of moving from many desktop PCs to a thin client architecture is that desktop application software will never have to be upgraded. A thin client architecture is a type of client-server architecture that uses lightweight or minimal devices (thin clients) as clients that connect to a central server that provides most of the processing and storage functions. A thin client architecture can offer several benefits over a traditional desktop PC architecture, such as lower cost, higher security, easier maintenance, etc. One of these benefits is that desktop application software will never have to be upgraded on thin clients, as all the applications are installed and updated on the server, and accessed by thin clients through a network connection. This can save time and money for installing and upgrading software on individual devices, and ensure consistency and compatibility among different devices. The security of the desktop PC is enhanced is a possible advantage of moving from many desktop PCs to a thin client architecture, but it is not the major one. A thin client architecture can enhance the security of desktop PCs by reducing the exposure or vulnerability of data and applications on individual devices, and centralizing the security management and control on the server. However, this advantage may depend on other factors such as network security, server security, user authentication, etc. Administrative security can be provided for the client is a possible advantage of moving from many desktop PCs to a thin client architecture, but it is not the major one. A thin client architecture can provide administrative security for clients by allowing administrators to configure and manage client devices remotely from the server, and enforce policies and restrictions on client access or usage. However, this advantage may depend on other factors such as network reliability, server availability, user compliance, etc. System administration can be better managed is a possible advantage of moving from many desktop PCs to a thin client architecture, but it is not the major one. A thin client architecture can improve system administration by simplifying and streamlining the tasks and activities involved in maintaining and supporting client devices, such as backup, recovery, troubleshooting, etc., and consolidating them on the server. However, this advantage may depend on other factors such as network bandwidth, server capacity, user satisfaction