When managing a growing fleet of devices within an organization, ensuring each one adheres to specific security and configuration policies is essential. Microsoft Intune provides a comprehensive solution to this challenge by allowing IT administrators to create, assign, and monitor device configuration policies across various platforms. From Android and iOS to Windows and macOS, Intune simplifies the management of these policies, making it easier to enforce compliance while ensuring device security.
In this article, we’ll explore how to implement and manage device configuration policies using Intune, including checking assignment statuses, troubleshooting conflicts, and leveraging Microsoft Copilot for additional insights.
Continue Reading
Accessing and viewing device configuration policies
To begin managing device configuration policies, sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center. From the dashboard, navigate to Devices > Manage devices > Configuration > Policies. This section displays all existing policies, including details such as the platform they apply to and whether they’ve been assigned to devices.
If more detailed reporting is needed, Intune offers a variety of reports under the Intune reports section, which provides in-depth data on the status of these policies, such as assignment success or failure.
Monitoring policy status and assignments
After creating a device configuration policy, Intune allows administrators to monitor its assignment and performance. The policy’s status report indicates whether it has been successfully applied, encountered errors, or faced conflicts. These statuses are vital in understanding how effectively the policy is working:
- Succeeded: The policy has been successfully applied.
- Error: The policy failed to apply due to an error, often accompanied by an explanation.
- Conflict: Multiple policies are attempting to configure the same setting, and the conflict needs resolution.
- Pending: The device hasn’t yet checked in to receive the policy.
- Not Applicable: The policy is not relevant to the device’s current configuration or version.
To dive deeper into specific device assignments, go to the Device assignment status report, which displays the most recent data on device check-ins and the status of policy assignments. This report allows administrators to generate up-to-date information, filter by errors or conflicts, and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Troubleshooting conflicts
Conflicts occur when multiple policies attempt to configure the same setting on a device. When this happens, administrators can resolve the issue by identifying the conflicting policies. In the Intune admin center, under Devices > All Devices, select the device in question and review the policy configurations applied to it.
From this screen, you can see which policies are causing the conflict, making it easier to adjust or reconfigure settings to prevent further issues. With this streamlined process, administrators can quickly resolve conflicts and ensure policies are functioning as intended.
Utilizing Microsoft Copilot for policy management
Microsoft Copilot enhances the Intune experience by providing administrators with AI-driven insights and recommendations. Copilot can assist in analyzing device configuration policies, suggesting improvements, and identifying potential issues. It’s a valuable tool for streamlining policy management and ensuring that devices remain compliant with organizational standards.
DFCI profile reporting
In addition to managing standard device configurations, Intune also supports Device Firmware Configuration Interface (DFCI) profiles, which allow administrators to control device settings at the firmware level. The reporting for DFCI profiles is similar to standard policies, with compliance statuses such as:
- Compliant: The setting is correctly configured.
- Not Applicable: The setting is irrelevant to the device.
- Noncompliant: The setting doesn’t match the device’s current configuration.
These reports help ensure that devices adhere to the necessary firmware settings, enhancing the overall security and manageability of the fleet.
Conclusion
Effectively managing device configuration policies is a crucial task for any IT team, and Microsoft Intune simplifies the process with robust reporting tools, conflict resolution features, and AI-powered insights via Microsoft Copilot. By following these steps, administrators can ensure devices across platforms remain compliant with organizational policies, providing a secure and well-managed environment.
At AVASOFT, we are committed to helping organizations implement and manage their Intune policies efficiently. Reach out to us to learn how we can support your business in leveraging the full potential of Intune for device management and security.
