Microsoft Intune overview

Microsoft Intune securely manages identities, manages apps, and manages devices

Source:- Microsoft Intune overview

As organizations adapt to hybrid and remote work models, managing various devices accessing company resources becomes a challenge. Microsoft Intune addresses these needs by enabling secure collaboration, access, and data protection across personal and corporate devices. It's a cloud-based endpoint management solution that streamlines user access and device/app management, supporting Zero Trust principles.

Key features and benefits

• ✅ Manage users and devices
  Intune supports cross-platform device management (Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, Linux Ubuntu). Admins can apply access policies on both organization-owned and personal devices. If managing on-prem Windows Servers, Configuration Manager can be used in parallel.
• ✅ Simplify app management
  Admins can deploy, update, and retire apps using Intune’s built-in app management. It supports Microsoft 365 apps (like Teams), Win32, LOB, and custom apps. You can enforce app protection policies for security and control access to data within apps.
• ✅ Automate policy deployment
  Admins can configure and deploy a wide range of policies (security, compliance, device config, etc.) to users and devices over the internet—automating endpoint management at scale.
• ✅ Use the self-service features
  End users can use the Company Portal app or website to reset passwords, install apps, join groups, and more—reducing IT support demand. Admins can customize the portal experience.
• ✅ Integrate with mobile threat defense
  Intune integrates with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and other partner solutions to enhance endpoint protection. Admins can create threat response policies, automate remediation, and perform real-time risk analysis.
• ✅ Use a web-based admin center
  The Intune Admin Center enables full cloud-based endpoint management with built-in reporting and Graph API support. It can be accessed from any internet-connected device.
• ✅ Advanced endpoint management and security
  The Intune Suite includes advanced tools like Remote Help, Endpoint Privilege Management, and Microsoft Tunnel for MAM, extending the functionality of core Intune.
• ✅ Use Microsoft Copilot in Intune for AI-generated analysis
  Copilot in Intune, powered by Security Copilot, can summarize policies, surface recommendations, highlight setting conflicts, and help troubleshoot issues by analyzing device and policy data.

Integrates with other Microsoft services and apps

• Configuration Manager: Co-management and tenant attach options allow integration with on-premises infrastructure.
• Windows Autopilot: Streamlines OS deployment by provisioning new or existing devices for modern use.
• Endpoint analytics: Provides insights into device health, user experiences, and policy impact—helping proactively improve productivity.
• Microsoft 365: Enables automated deployment and management of Office apps.
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: Enables threat detection, risk-based compliance, and Conditional Access enforcement.
• Windows Autopatch: Automates patching of Windows, Microsoft 365 Apps, Edge, and Teams—using Intune as the patch management platform.

Integrates with third party partner devices and apps

• Android (Managed Google Play): Admins can deploy private or public apps using a connected Google Play account.
• Apple (Tokens & Certificates): Supports iOS/iPadOS/macOS enrollment and VPP-based app deployment via Apple Business Manager.
• TeamViewer: Enables remote assistance for Intune-managed devices via an integrated TeamViewer account.

Supports deployment and management of:

• Public store apps
• Line-of-business (LOB) apps
• Private/internal apps
• Custom and third-party partner apps

Guides are available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux device enrollment.

Enroll in device management, application management, or both

• ✅ Organization-owned devices (MDM):
  Enrolled using Mobile Device Management. IT admins fully control device configuration, apps, and data policies. Security and compliance settings are enforced during the enrollment process.
• ✅ Personal devices (BYOD - MAM):
  Managed via Mobile Application Management, focusing on protecting app data rather than the device itself. Ideal for securing corporate data in apps like Outlook or Teams without managing the full device.
• ✅ Combined MDM + MAM:
  For enrolled devices requiring additional app-level security, both MDM and MAM policies can be used together.

Protect data on any device

Managed Devices (MDM):

• Full control over device security.
• Deploy encryption, password, certificate, and threat protection policies.
• Use Conditional Access and remote wipe for security enforcement.

Unmanaged/Personal Devices (MAM):

• App protection without full device control.
• Prevents copy/paste between corporate and personal apps.
• Enforces MFA and Conditional Access rules on specific apps.

Both approaches allow using Mobile Threat Defense tools and Conditional Access for secure data access.

Simplify access

• Use Windows Hello for Business:
  Replaces passwords with biometrics or PIN for faster, more secure authentication—stored locally on the device.
• Create a VPN connection for remote users:
  Intune supports configuring VPN policies using various vendors. VPNs can be certificate-based to avoid manual login.
• Use Microsoft Tunnel for MAM:
  Provides secure app access for unenrolled devices—extending VPN capabilities for MAM scenarios.
• Create a Wi-Fi connection for on-premises users:
  Configure and deploy Wi-Fi profiles with certificate-based authentication to simplify and secure network access.
• Enable single sign-on (SSO) to your apps and services:
  
  • Windows: Built-in SSO using Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
  • iOS/macOS: Use Microsoft Enterprise SSO plug-in.
  • Android: Enable SSO with Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL).
  SSO enhances productivity and reduces login friction across Microsoft and partner apps.