Why Intune Endpoint Protection is a Must-Have
In today's world, cybersecurity threats are evolving at an alarming rate. As businesses increasingly rely on digital platforms, securing devices and data has become critical. Intune Endpoint Protection offers a comprehensive way to safeguard your company’s devices against viruses, malware, and other security risks. By integrating seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem, it allows IT administrators to manage device security across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, through a centralized system.
If your company is already utilizing Microsoft 365 or Azure Active Directory, activating Intune Endpoint Protection brings additional layers of security, ensuring that sensitive data is protected while maintaining user productivity.
Setting the Stage for Activation
Before activating Intune Endpoint Protection, it’s essential to ensure that your organization meets the necessary requirements. Microsoft Intune requires a subscription that includes security management features, such as Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 or the Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E3 or E5 plans.
Requirements for Activating Intune Endpoint Protection
Make sure you have:
A valid Microsoft Intune subscription.
Admin access to the Intune Admin Center.
Devices enrolled in Intune (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or Linux).
Checking if Your Devices Are Ready
Before applying Endpoint Protection policies, check if your devices meet the minimum system requirements. For example, Windows 10 devices need to be running at least version 1709 or later. Also, ensure that the devices are enrolled in Intune and compliant with your organization's device policies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Intune Endpoint Protection
Activating Intune Endpoint Protection involves creating and assigning antivirus policies that are tailored to your organization’s needs.
Sign In to Intune Admin Center
To begin, access the Microsoft Intune admin center by signing in with your admin credentials. If your organization uses multi-factor authentication, make sure you have your verification method ready.
Creating an Antivirus Policy
Once inside the admin center, navigate to Devices > Endpoint Security > Antivirus. This is where you’ll create and configure your antivirus policy.
Choosing the Right Platform
You can select different platforms depending on the devices you manage. For Windows 10, for instance, you'll want to choose the Windows 10 and later option. Other platforms include macOS, Android, and iOS. Choose the platform that fits your device environment.
Configuring Essential Settings
When creating the antivirus policy, you’ll be prompted to configure various settings. Key settings to configure include:
Real-time protection: Enables continuous scanning of files and downloads for malicious activity.
Cloud protection: This allows devices to communicate with Microsoft’s cloud services for faster detection of new threats.
Scheduled scans: Set daily, weekly, or monthly scans to ensure all files are regularly checked for threats.
Exclusions: Add file types or locations that don’t require scanning (use sparingly to avoid security risks).
Assigning Policies to Devices
Once your antivirus policy is configured, it’s time to assign it to devices.
Targeting Groups and Devices for Protection
In the policy creation window, you'll see an option to assign the policy. You can assign it to specific user groups or device groups. For example, if you have different teams or departments with varying security needs, tailor the policy to each group’s requirements.
Setting Deployment Schedules
Set up when you want the policy to go live. You can assign it immediately or schedule it to activate at a specific time that best fits your organization’s workflow.
Optimizing Your Intune Security Settings
While basic settings are enough to get started, optimizing the configuration can significantly enhance your security posture.
Managing Real-Time Protection Features
Real-time protection can be customized further to block unwanted apps and downloads. You can also set up notifications to alert admins when a threat is detected, allowing for quick action to contain the risk.
Customizing Scan Schedules
It’s important to balance security with performance. Regular scans are essential, but they shouldn’t disrupt productivity. You can schedule scans to run during non-peak hours, such as overnight, or on weekends when employees aren’t actively using their devices.
Handling Threats and Alerts
When a threat is detected, Intune provides detailed reports on the type of threat and which devices are affected. Set up your notifications to receive alerts in real-time so your IT team can respond immediately to any issues.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even with a great tool like Intune Endpoint Protection, there are common mistakes to watch out for.
Overlooking Policy Assignments
One of the most frequent issues is forgetting to assign policies to the right devices or groups. Be sure to double-check the scope of your policy assignments after creation to ensure all intended devices are covered.
Forgetting to Monitor Device Compliance
Endpoint Protection can only be as effective as the compliance of your devices. Regularly review compliance reports to ensure that devices are correctly following security policies and that no unmanaged devices are slipping through the cracks.
Ignoring Update Management
Intune can push updates, but if devices aren’t set to receive them, security gaps can emerge. Ensure your devices are regularly receiving and applying the latest updates from Microsoft and other software vendors.
Keeping Your Devices Secure Post-Activation
Activating Intune Endpoint Protection is only the first step. To maintain strong security, you’ll need to consistently manage and review your policies and monitor device health.
Regular Policy Reviews
Your security needs will change as your organization evolves. It's important to periodically review and update your antivirus policies. For example, as new threats emerge, you may want to tighten your real-time protection settings or adjust scanning schedules.
Tracking Endpoint Health
Intune provides health reports that give insight into the security status of your devices. These reports will show whether your policies are effectively protecting devices and flag any areas of concern.
Future-Proofing Your Device Security Strategy
As technology and cyber threats advance, so should your security strategies. At ECS LEAD, we specialize in helping businesses stay ahead of these changes. We offer custom solutions and ongoing support to ensure your Intune setup continues to meet the evolving needs of your organization. Our team works closely with you to optimize your security settings and keep your devices fully protected at all times. Contact us today to see how we can assist in securing your digital workspace.
