As our organization grew and employees started working from various locations, managing devices and ensuring data security became a significant challenge. That’s when we decided to implement Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based service for managing mobile devices, computers, and apps. In this post, I’ll share what Microsoft Intune is, how we set it up, some of its crucial features, and the advantages we’ve experienced since its implementation.
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution that allows organizations to manage devices, enforce security policies, and control access to corporate data. It supports a wide range of devices, including Windows PCs, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. As part of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager suite, Intune integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services, such as Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Microsoft 365, to provide a comprehensive management experience.
Setting Up Microsoft Intune
Setting up Microsoft Intune in our organization was a straightforward process. Here’s a high-level overview of the steps we followed:
1. Subscription and Licensing
We first subscribed to Microsoft Intune, available as a standalone service or as part of the Microsoft 365 and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) suites. We opted for a subscription that covered the number of devices and users in our organization.
2. Accessing the Admin Console
Once subscribed, we accessed the Intune admin console through the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center. This web-based interface is our central hub for managing devices, policies, and applications.
3. Integration with Azure Active Directory
Integrating Intune with Azure AD was a crucial step. This integration allowed us to leverage single sign-on (SSO) and conditional access policies, providing a secure way to manage user identities and access.
4. Device Enrollment
We enrolled our devices in Intune using various methods, such as manual enrollment, automatic enrollment for company-owned devices, and self-service enrollment for BYOD scenarios. This setup created a management channel between the devices and Intune.
5. Policy Configuration
With devices enrolled, we set up policies for compliance, security, and data protection. These policies govern everything from password requirements to encryption standards, ensuring all devices meet our security requirements.
6. App Management and Deployment
Intune made it easy to deploy and manage applications across all devices. We could push updates, install new apps, and control which apps could access corporate data.
Important Features of Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune comes packed with features that have significantly streamlined our IT management processes. Some of the key features include:
1. Remote Wipe and Lost Device Protection
One of the most critical features of Intune is the ability to remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices. This ensures that sensitive corporate information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. We can choose between a full wipe, which removes all data, or a selective wipe, which only removes corporate data while leaving personal information intact.
2. Conditional Access
Intune works with Azure AD to enforce conditional access policies. This means that only compliant and secure devices can access our corporate resources. For example, we can restrict access to sensitive data to devices that are up-to-date with security patches and have a specific level of encryption enabled.
3. App Protection Policies
App protection policies help us control how corporate data is used and shared within mobile apps. For instance, we can prevent users from copying and pasting data from a corporate app into a personal one, reducing the risk of data leakage.
4. Device Compliance Policies
We use compliance policies to define the requirements devices must meet to be considered secure, such as having a PIN, encryption, or up-to-date antivirus software. Non-compliant devices are flagged, and appropriate actions are taken, such as restricting access or notifying the user.
5. Self-Service Portal
Intune provides a self-service portal where employees can enroll their devices, install apps, and access company resources. This feature reduces the burden on IT support and empowers users to manage their devices.
Advantages of Microsoft Intune
Implementing Microsoft Intune has brought numerous benefits to our organization:
1. Centralized Management
Intune offers a centralized platform for managing a diverse set of devices. Whether it’s smartphones, tablets, or desktops, we can manage them all from a single interface, simplifying our IT operations.
2. Enhanced Security
The security features in Intune, such as remote wipe, conditional access, and app protection policies, have significantly improved our data security posture. We can ensure that only secure and compliant devices access our network and resources.
3. Flexibility and Scalability
As a cloud-based solution, Intune offers excellent flexibility and scalability. We can easily scale up or down based on the number of devices and users, making it ideal for a growing organization like ours.
4. Improved User Experience
The self-service portal and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 tools have enhanced the user experience. Employees can easily access the resources they need, install necessary apps, and manage their devices without constant IT support.
5. Cost Efficiency
By moving to a cloud-based management solution, we’ve reduced the need for on-premises infrastructure and related costs. The subscription model also provides predictable pricing, helping us manage our IT budget more effectively.
Conclusion
Microsoft Intune has become an invaluable tool for managing our diverse range of devices and ensuring the security of our corporate data. Its rich set of features, from remote wipe capabilities to conditional access and app protection policies, offers comprehensive solutions for modern IT management challenges. While there are alternatives out there, Intune’s seamless integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem, centralized management, and enhanced security features make it a standout choice for our enterprise. As we continue to grow and adapt to new working environments, Intune will play a crucial role in keeping our IT infrastructure secure and efficient.