Microsoft Intune offers a robust framework for security administrators to establish and enforce security policies across managed devices. By leveraging endpoint security policies, organizations can create specific profiles that target device security settings effectively. These profiles are akin to device configuration policy templates or security baselines, but they concentrate exclusively on security measures. This focused approach allows security teams to streamline their efforts in protecting sensitive information and maintaining compliance.
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Understanding endpoint security policies
Endpoint security policies in Intune serve as logical groupings of related security settings tailored for specific aspects of device protection. Unlike broader device configuration profiles, which encompass a wide range of settings, endpoint security profiles zero in on a defined subset of security features. This targeted methodology ensures that security measures are not only implemented effectively but also do not conflict with other policies that might be in place.
When managing endpoint security policies alongside other policy types—such as security baselines or device configuration policies—it’s essential to devise a strategy that minimizes potential conflicts. Intune treats all policy types as equal sources of device configuration settings, which can lead to conflicts if a device receives conflicting configurations from different sources. This situation arises when a policy type inadvertently overrides settings established by another policy type.
Managing conflicts
Intune has a systematic approach to handling conflicting settings. If a device encounters conflicting configurations, the involved setting may fail to apply, leading to a potential security gap. To effectively manage conflicts, administrators must be well-versed in the available policy types and their specific configurations, including:
- Device configuration profiles
- Endpoint security profiles
- Security baselines
These resources are accessible under the “Manage” section within the Endpoint security node of the Microsoft Intune admin center.
Types of endpoint security policies
Microsoft Intune provides several types of endpoint security policies, each addressing different aspects of device security:
- Account Protection: Focused on safeguarding user identities, this policy includes settings for Windows Hello and Credential Guard, which are critical components of Windows identity management.
- Antivirus: These policies allow security admins to manage specific antivirus settings, ensuring that devices are adequately protected against threats.
- App Control for Business (Preview): This policy enables administrators to manage approved applications on Windows devices, implementing Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC).
- Attack Surface Reduction: This policy helps manage settings when Defender Antivirus is active on Windows 10/11 devices, contributing to a multi-layered security strategy.
- Disk Encryption: Endpoint security policies here focus exclusively on settings for built-in encryption methods, such as BitLocker and FileVault, simplifying the management of disk and folder-level encryption.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): When integrated with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, this policy facilitates the management of EDR settings and device onboarding.
- Firewall: Administrators can configure device firewalls for both macOS and Windows 10/11 devices using this policy.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
To manage endpoint security policies effectively, administrators must utilize accounts with appropriate RBAC permissions. This system allows for the assignment of specific rights necessary for various tasks, including:
- Assign
- Create
- Delete
- Read
- Update
- View Reports
These permissions can be customized within roles, allowing for flexibility in managing security workloads.
Creating and duplicating endpoint security policies
Creating an endpoint security policy involves several straightforward steps within the Microsoft Intune admin center:
- 1. Sign in to the Intune admin center and navigate to Endpoint security.
- 2. Select the desired policy type and click “Create Policy.”
- 3. Choose the platform and configure the relevant settings.
- 4. Assign scope tags and select target groups for policy application.
- 5. Review and create the new policy.
For efficiency, administrators can duplicate existing policies when creating similar configurations for different groups, thus saving time and ensuring consistency across security measures.
Conclusion
Implementing security policies with Microsoft Intune is a strategic approach to safeguarding organizational devices. By utilizing endpoint security policies, security administrators can manage settings effectively, reduce the risk of conflicts, and ensure a robust security posture. With AVASOFT’s expertise in Microsoft solutions, organizations can harness the full potential of Intune for enhanced device security and streamlined management.
