Mastering Microsoft Intune: Your Essential Guide to Getting Started

Microsoft Intune is a powerful cloud-based service that enables organizations to manage and secure devices and applications for their workforce. With Intune, you can easily manage mobile devices, PCs, and applications, ensuring data protection and compliance with security policies. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of signing up for and configuring Microsoft Intune, allowing you to efficiently manage your organization’s devices and applications in a secure and streamlined manner.

Step 1: Check Intune Subscription Eligibility

Before signing up for Intune, ensure your organization is eligible for the service. Microsoft Intune is part of Microsoft 365, so you will need a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Intune. Review your current Microsoft 365 subscription or consider upgrading to a plan that includes Intune if necessary.

Step 2: Sign Up for Microsoft Intune

Once you have a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Intune, follow these steps to sign up for the service:

1. Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center (admin.microsoft.com) and sign in with your admin account.
2. Navigate to “Billing” > “Purchase Services” and locate “Intune” from the list of available services.
3. Click “Buy Now” or “Try for free” if a trial is available.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the sign-up process and provide payment details if applicable.

Step 3: Access Microsoft Intune Console

After signing up for Intune, you can access the Intune console to start configuring and managing devices and applications:

1. In the Microsoft 365 admin center, go to “Show all” > “Intune” to open the Intune console.
2. The Intune console provides access to various features and settings, such as device enrollment, app management, compliance policies, and more.

Step 4: Configure Intune Policies and Settings

Now that you have access to the Intune console, it’s time to configure policies and settings to manage your organization’s devices and applications:

1. Configure Device Enrollment: Set up device enrollment policies to allow users to register their devices with Intune. Decide whether to use a user-based or device-based enrollment approach based on your organization’s requirements.
2. Manage Devices: Enroll and manage devices using Intune. Apply security policies and profiles to ensure devices are compliant with your organization’s security standards.
3. App Management: Add and manage applications in the Intune console. Deploy apps to devices, control app permissions, and ensure application compliance.
4. Compliance Policies: Set up compliance policies to enforce security requirements on devices. Define rules for password complexity, encryption, and other security settings.
5. Conditional Access: Configure conditional access policies to control access to corporate resources based on device compliance and user context.

Step 5: Test and Monitor Intune Deployment

Once you have configured Intune policies and settings, it’s crucial to test and monitor the deployment to ensure everything works as intended:

1. Enroll test devices to verify the device enrollment process and policy application.
2. Test app deployment to ensure that required applications are successfully installed on devices.
3. Monitor compliance reports and device status to identify any issues or deviations from your organization’s policies.

Conclusion:

Microsoft Intune is a robust solution for managing and securing devices and applications in your organization. By following this comprehensive guide, you have successfully signed up for and configured Microsoft Intune, allowing you to manage devices, deploy applications, enforce compliance policies, and enhance data security. Regular testing and monitoring ensure the effectiveness of your Intune deployment and contribute to a productive and secure work environment.