A Simplified Guide to Mobile Device Management with Intune (part 1)

Managing mobile devices with Intune not only simplifies administrative tasks but also strengthens cybersecurity defenses through centralized management. Let’s explore Intune’s capabilities and its role in the mobile device management life cycle with a cybersecurity context in mind.

Accessing Intune Administration

Access Intune administration through the Intune admin center at https://intune.microsoft.com. This console offers comprehensive management capabilities, including user and group management, replacing the previous Intune console found in the Azure portal.

Company Portal

The Company Portal, available as a web application and desktop/mobile app, enables users to self-enroll their devices and access company-published applications. Access is granted via https://portal.manage.microsoft.com/ or by installing the Company Portal app on Windows, iOS, or Android devices.

Mobile Device Management Life Cycle

Managing mobile devices follows a life cycle with a cybersecurity focus:

1. Enrollment: Devices are enrolled with the mobile device management solution, ensuring only authorized devices gain access to corporate resources. Intune enables secure device enrollment, laying the foundation for implementing security policies and enforcing device compliance.

2. Configuration: Ensure enrolled devices are secure and compliant with security policies. Intune allows you to define policies related to device encryption, password requirements, and app permissions, mitigating security risks and vulnerabilities.

3. Protection: Continuously monitor and manage device settings and configurations to detect and respond to security threats. Intune provides features like conditional access and threat detection to prevent unauthorized access and identify suspicious activities, enhancing cybersecurity defenses.

4. Retirement: Securely wipe data from retired devices to mitigate the risk of data breaches. Intune facilitates secure data wiping and device decommissioning processes, ensuring sensitive corporate data is effectively removed from retired devices.

Conclusion

Intune simplifies mobile device management while enhancing cybersecurity defenses throughout the device life cycle. From enrollment to retirement, Intune provides the tools and capabilities needed to enforce security policies, monitor device compliance, and respond to security threats effectively. By leveraging Intune’s capabilities, organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity posture, safeguard sensitive data, and mitigate risks associated with mobile device usage in today’s digital landscape.