Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)’s Virtual Desktop Solution wins at SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2025

The solution streamlines access to both corporate and scientific resources.

A*STAR received the Virtualisation - Government Organisation accolade at the SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for the A*STAR Virtual Desktop (AVD) solution, a secure and unified endpoint device.

The SBR Technology Excellence Awards recognises technological innovations and companies in Singapore that are leading the digital journeys of their respective industries. The awards programme commends companies and organisations that pioneered groundbreaking IT products and solutions, and organisations from different industries that made an impact with their innovative technology.

A*STAR is Singapore’s lead public sector R&D agency with a mission to create economic growth and enhance lives. Its research activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, spread over 30 research institutes, programmes, and initiatives. The organisation’s complex IT environment comprises a corporate network, scientific network, and access to the Singapore Government’s network. With more than 10,000 endpoint devices configured and secured for different purposes, A*STAR’s IT landscape must be meticulously managed to ensure Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA).

A*STAR's technology infrastructure supports two distinct device ecosystems: namely, corporate devices, which provide secure access to administrative applications and sensitive corporate data; and scientific devices, which are used for cutting-edge research and industry collaborations with external institutions. Given A*STAR’s diverse research portfolio, different teams possess unique computing and connectivity requirements, which adds complexity to the infrastructure. Furthermore, both corporate and scientific applications and data reside across multiple networks, spanning on-premises, commercial cloud via Singapore Government's Commercial Cloud (GCC), and A*STAR’s cloud foundation, necessitating a sophisticated and adaptable technology framework.

Previously, researchers had to juggle multiple devices to access corporate and scientific resources securely, making their workflows more cumbersome and less efficient. To address this challenge, A*STAR developed the A*VD, a cutting-edge, secure and unified endpoint device that enables seamless connectivity to both corporate resources and scientific assets. This solution seamlessly integrates with key components such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Mobile Application Management (MAM), Mobile Device Management (MDM), and network segmentation to ensure the security of A*STAR’s data. 

A comprehensive change management and communications plan — including roadshows, eDMs, and targeted engagement sessions — supported smooth adoption across A*STAR. This structured approach was well-received by researchers. 

Building on the successful deployment of the A*VD, A*STAR will continue to enhance its digital infrastructure and enable seamless, secure access for researchers.

The SBR Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].