Microsoft Intune – Modern Endpoint Management Guide

🔹 Microsoft Intune

What is Intune?

Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, and Linux (limited; mostly compliance reporting, not full management)
Delivers MDM (device management), MAM (app protection), configuration, compliance, update rings, and app deployment.
Works with Entra ID for Conditional Access and identity-driven security.
Supports Autopilot provisioning and zero‑touch deployments.

Why is Intune required?

Modern, internet-based management for remote/hybrid devices – no VPN to domain needed.
Protects work data on both managed and BYOD devices via app protection policies.
Enforces baseline security (BitLocker/FileVault, firewall, Defender) with compliance signals into access decisions.
Reduces imaging and desk visits using Autopilot and self-service recovery.

🔹 Intune vs Legacy On-Prem AD GPO

Area	Legacy GPO (On-Prem)	Microsoft Intune
Network Dependency	Requires domain/network/VPN	Internet-first; works anywhere
OS Coverage	Mainly Windows domain-joined	Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, Linux (limited)
Provisioning	Imaging/Ghost, manual join	Autopilot zero‑touch provisioning
BYOD	Poor support	MAM protects corporate data without device enrollment
Conditional Access	Not native	Compliance + risk signals gate access
Updates	WSUS/SCCM heavy infra	Windows Update for Business with rings & deadlines
Security Baselines	Custom GPO crafting	Prebuilt Security Baselines & Endpoint Security policies
App Delivery	SCCM packaging needed	Store apps, Win32, LOB, VPP, Managed Google Play
Remote Help	Third-party tools	Integrated Remote Help (add-on)
Privilege	Local admin or scripts	Endpoint Privilege Management (add-on) for elevation
VPN	Manual client config	Microsoft Tunnel (add-on) device/app VPN
Analytics	Limited	Endpoint analytics (add-on) & reports
Scale/HA	Servers & patching	Cloud-scale, no infra to maintain
Cross-tenant	Complex trusts	Multi-tenant MSP capabilities
TCO	Capex + admin overhead	Subscription; rapid feature ship

🔹 Industrial Use Cases

BFSI

Hardened laptops with BitLocker/FileVault & device compliance before banking app access.
App protection on BYOD to protect PII without taking full control.
Role-based elevation via Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM).
Audit trails and export to SIEM for FFIEC/SOX.

Healthcare

Shared iOS/Android devices in clinics with kiosk mode.
Conditional Access to EHR only from compliant devices.
Remote Help for frontline support with audit transcript.
App configuration for secure browsers/kiosks.

Manufacturing

Rugged Android management with Managed Google Play.
Policy application works offline temporarily but requires periodic internet sync with Intune
Line-of-business app deployment & staged updates.
Kiosk/Shared device modes for shop-floor terminals.

IT/Consulting & MSPs

Multi-tenant management and standardized baselines.
Autopilot for rapid new‑hire rollouts.
Win32 packaging + app supersedence for client fleets.
Central reporting across customers.

Retail & Logistics

Android AOSP/DED devices for scanning & delivery.
Per-store rings for OS and app updates.
Lost device selective wipe and geo-informed policies.
VPN per-app via Tunnel for MAM to ERP.

Education

Shared devices with sign-in restrictions and content filters.
App protection for student-owned phones/tablets.
Self-service device reset & Autopilot pre-provisioning.
Reporting for safeguarding and attendance tooling.

Government

Baseline hardening aligned to CIS/NIST.
Strict USB/drive control with Endpoint Security policies.
Conditional Access with device & location controls.
Logs exported to SIEM for oversight.

🔹 Intune Plans – P1 vs P2

Capability (Plain English)	P1 (Core)	P2 / Intune Suite (Advanced)
Device management (Windows, iOS, Android, macOS)	✔ Core MDM, compliance, config	✔ Same
App protection (MAM) for BYOD	✔ Policies for Office apps & LOB	✔ Same + deeper app-level telemetry
Windows Autopilot	✔ Zero‑touch provisioning	✔ Same + scale tooling
Security Baselines & Endpoint Security	✔ Baselines, BitLocker, AV, firewall	✔ Same
Windows Update for Business	✔ Rings, deadlines, quality/feature	✔ Same
Win32/App deployment	✔ Win32, MSI, Store, VPP	✔ Same + Enterprise App Catalog
Remote Help	✗	✔ Remote Help with audit
Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM)	✗	✔ User elevation workflows
Microsoft Tunnel (device VPN)	✗	✔ Device VPN; Tunnel for MAM per‑app
Advanced Analytics	Basic reports	✔ Endpoint analytics & anomaly insights
Cloud PKI	✗	✔ Cloud-hosted PKI service
App packaging/patching at scale	Manual/scripting	✔ Enterprise App Management (catalog & updates)
Threat/Vulnerability signals	Standard Defender integration	✔ Deeper integration & automated response
Service-level support	Standard	Enhanced support/response targets
Licensing model	Included with M365 E3/Business Premium (varies)	Suite add-ons per user
Typical fit	Most SMB/enterprise needs	Regulated, complex, or high-touch fleets

🔹 Governance & Compliance Framework

Requirement	How Intune Helps
Least privilege & admin control	Role-Based Access Control; EPM (Suite) for controlled elevation.
Device compliance evidence	Compliance reports feed Entra Conditional Access; export to SIEM.
Audit & change tracking	Activity logs, Remote Help transcripts, policy versioning.
Patch & vuln management	WUFB rings/deferrals; Defender integration for exposure data.
Data protection	MAM app-level policies (copy/paste, save, encrypt) for BYOD.
Framework mapping	Supports CIS/NIST baselines; helps with ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR controls.

🔹 Feature Limitations & Considerations

Operational

Not full GPO parity: Some advanced Windows policies still require scripts or ADMX ingestion.
Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, and Linux (limited; mostly compliance reporting, not full management)
Win32 packaging: Complex apps may require repackaging, detection rules, or 3rd-party tools.
Network controls: NAC/802.1X not managed; requires integration with 3rd-party or ZTNA.
Offline/air-gapped: Intune requires internet reachability; unsuitable for isolated environments.
Policies apply only when devices sync with cloud; Intune requires periodic internet connectivity

Strategic

Advanced features (Remote Help, EPM, Tunnel, Analytics, Cloud PKI) need extra Suite licenses.
Threat hunting requires Defender for Endpoint/Sentinel integration for deep telemetry.
Vendor dependency: Apple/Android OS API changes can affect capabilities and rollout timing.
Migration complexity: Moving from legacy SCCM/GPO requires planning, coexistence, and staged rollout.
Cost consideration: Suite add-ons increase per-user costs, requiring ROI justification.

🔹 Recommendations Based on Organization Size

Small Businesses (1–250 users)

Adopt Intune P1 via Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Enable Security Baselines (BitLocker/FileVault, Defender).
Use Autopilot for onboarding; single update ring for simplicity.
Apply MAM policies to protect data on BYOD without full device control.
Integrate with Entra ID Conditional Access to enforce compliance-based access.
Leverage self-service password reset & Autopilot reset to reduce IT tickets.

Mid-Market (250–2,000 users)

Standardize on P1 with selective adoption of Suite add-ons (e.g., Remote Help).
Use multi-ring update deployment (pilot, broad, exec) to reduce disruption.
Automate provisioning & offboarding with HR integration and access packages.
Leverage Enterprise App Catalog for patching common apps.
Run access reviews and enforce guest lifecycle policies in Entra.
Establish standardized baselines per department or device role.

Enterprises (2,000+ users)

Adopt Intune Suite (P2) for EPM, Remote Help, Analytics, Tunnel.
Segment policies by device role (frontline, dev, kiosk, exec).
Implement ringed deployments + monitoring & rollback for OS and apps.
Integrate telemetry with Sentinel/SIEM and Defender for analytics.
Use Just-in-Time access for admin roles with PIM approvals.
Streamline reporting for compliance audits (ISO, SOC, HIPAA).

Highly Regulated (Finance, Govt, Healthcare)

Choose P2/Suite for full governance and audit features.
Enforce EPM for privileged elevation with approvals and logs.
Apply Tunnel per-app VPN for data-in-transit protection.
Generate audit-ready reports covering compliance, access, and admin actions.
Integrate identity/device risk into Defender & Sentinel workflows.
Ensure lifecycle automation for staff/contractors with access reviews.

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