When managing Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) at scale, privileged access quickly becomes complex. Platform teams, AVD admins, image engineers, and support teams all need elevated permissions — but not all the time.

This is where Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM) combined with Nerdio Manager for Enterprise creates a powerful, secure operating model.

🔐 The Challenge with Traditional AVD Admin Models

In many environments, AVD administrators are permanently assigned roles such as:

• Azure Owner or Contributor
• Desktop Virtualization Contributor
• Network Contributor
• User Access Administrator

This creates:

• Standing privilege risk
• Increased blast radius if credentials are compromised
• Poor auditability
• Compliance challenges

✅ The Secure Model: AVD + Nerdio + PIM

By combining Nerdio automation with PIM-controlled Azure RBAC, organisations can enforce least privilege without slowing down operations.

🔁 How It Works (Conceptual Flow)

1. AVD admin operates day-to-day through Nerdio Manager
2. No permanent Azure admin permissions are assigned
3. When elevated access is required (e.g. image update, host pool change):
   • Admin activates role via Entra PIM
   • MFA + justification required
   • Optional approval enforced
4. Nerdio executes the task using the now-active permissions
5. Role automatically expires
6. All actions are logged and auditable

🧩 Common AVD + Nerdio + PIM Use Cases

🛠️ Image Management & Patching

Scenario:

An engineer needs to update the AVD golden image.

PIM-Controlled Roles:

• Azure Contributor (Resource Group scope)
• Desktop Virtualization Contributor

Why PIM Helps:

• Access only during image update window
• Full audit trail of image changes
• Reduced risk of accidental production changes

⚙️ Host Pool & Scaling Configuration

Scenario:

Admins modify host pool settings, autoscale rules, or VM SKUs.

PIM-Controlled Roles:

• Desktop Virtualization Contributor
• Virtual Machine Contributor

Nerdio Advantage:

• Most tasks performed safely in Nerdio
• PIM elevation only required for advanced Azure-side changes

🌐 Networking & Identity Changes

Scenario:

Changes to subnets, NSGs, or private endpoints supporting AVD.

PIM-Controlled Roles:

• Network Contributor
• Private DNS Zone Contributor

Security Benefit:

• Prevents long-lived network admin access
• Limits blast radius of misconfiguration

🔑 Storage & FSLogix Administration

Scenario:

Admins need to modify Azure Files, FSLogix permissions, or storage networking.

PIM-Controlled Roles:

• Storage Account Contributor
• Storage File Data SMB Share Contributor

Why It Matters:

• FSLogix storage is highly sensitive
• PIM ensures access is time-bound and logged

🧑‍💻 External Admins & MSP Support

Scenario:

Partners or MSP engineers support AVD environments.

Best Practice:

• Assign eligible roles only
• Require:
  • MFA
  • Justification
  • Approval
  • Short activation windows

This pairs perfectly with Nerdio’s RBAC and audit capabilities.

🧠 FABS Solutions Recommended Role Model

Key principle:

Nerdio for operations. PIM for elevation. Azure RBAC for enforcement.

🚀 Why This Matters

By combining AVD + Nerdio + Entra PIM, organisations achieve:

• 🔒 Zero Trust-aligned access
• 🧾 Full auditability for admins
• ⚡ No loss of operational efficiency
• 🛡️ Reduced risk of credential compromise
• 📉 Lower compliance and security overhead

✅ Final Recommendation

If someone manages AVD infrastructure, they should never have permanent Azure admin rights.

Nerdio simplifies how work gets done.
PIM controls when elevated access is allowed.

Together, they form a secure, scalable, enterprise-grade AVD operating model.