Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that focuses on mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM). It helps organizations manage the devices and applications that employees use to access company data. Intune is part of the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security suite.
With Intune, organizations can:
Manage corporate and personally owned devices (BYOD) such as Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android.
Manage the applications deployed to these devices.
Ensure devices and applications are compliant with company security policies.
Deploy and manage applications on devices.
Protect corporate data by controlling how employees access and share it.
Key Capabilities
Device Management (MDM)
Intune allows administrators to configure devices, enforce policies, and protect corporate data. This includes:
Device Enrollment: Securely enroll corporate-owned and user-owned devices.
Configuration Profiles: Set up device settings for Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and more.
Compliance Policies: Define rules for device security, such as requiring passcodes, encryption, and minimum OS versions.
Device Actions: Remotely wipe, retire, lock, or restart devices.
Inventory: Track device hardware and software inventory.
Application Management (MAM)
Intune enables administrators to deploy and manage applications, and protect corporate data within those applications, even on unmanaged devices.
App Deployment: Deploy available or required apps to users and devices.
App Protection Policies: Control how corporate data can be accessed and shared within apps, independent of device enrollment. This includes features like copy/paste restrictions, data encryption, and prevent-screenshots.
App Configuration Policies: Pre-configure app settings for users.
Identity and Access Management Integration
Intune works seamlessly with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to provide conditional access policies. This ensures that only compliant and authorized users and devices can access corporate resources.
Platform Support
Intune supports a wide range of platforms, including:
Windows 10/11
macOS
iOS/iPadOS
Android (including Android Enterprise)
How Intune Protects Your Data
Intune employs a layered approach to security:
Conditional Access: Enforces policies based on user identity, location, device health, and application.
App Protection Policies: Isolates corporate data from personal data on mobile devices.
Device Compliance: Ensures that devices meet organizational security standards before accessing sensitive information.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive data.
Getting Started with Intune
To begin using Intune, you typically need an Azure subscription with the appropriate Intune license. The Intune portal, accessible via the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, is where you'll configure and manage your devices and applications.