What is Microsoft Intune & Why Do We Need It?

Why We Need Intune

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management service that helps organizations securely manage mobile devices, desktops, and applications—no matter where users work from. It's a key component of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager suite, increasingly integrated with Microsoft Entra (identity management) and Defender (security), enabling a modern, unified approach to IT management in hybrid workplaces.

Hybrid work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) have shattered traditional network perimeters, creating chaos for IT teams scrambling to secure and manage a growing mix of devices. Meanwhile, attackers are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting visibility gaps and inconsistent policies.

Intune addresses these challenges by consolidating device and app management into a single cloud-based platform. This eliminates the need for multiple disconnected tools and manual interventions, reducing risk and operational complexity. Organizations gain centralized control and visibility — critical for enforcing security policies, meeting compliance mandates, and enabling seamless user productivity.

What Intune solves

Intune tackles several persistent endpoint challenges that many IT teams face:

Visibility gaps: Without comprehensive management tools, IT often lacks clarity on device connectivity, health, and compliance status. Intune provides unified oversight across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Phishing risk: By integrating with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and enforcing Conditional Access, Intune reduces attack surfaces and blocks access from compromised devices.
Remote chaos: Hybrid work requires secure, context-aware connections. Intune's Conditional Access combined with Microsoft Tunnel VPN ensures protection without burdening users.
BYOD headaches: Mobile Application Management (MAM) policies secure corporate data on personal devices while maintaining user flexibility.
Agent overload: Consolidating multiple endpoint tools into one console reduces conflicts and administrative overhead.
Manual patching: Automated patch and update deployments across platforms improve security and reduce exploitation windows.

Caveat: Organizations with heavily legacy or on-premises environments might still require hybrid approaches (e.g., co-management with SCCM).

Core tools inside Intune

Intune's power lies in its diverse toolset, enabling IT to simplify endpoint security and management:

Web-based admin center: Manage policies, devices, and apps from anywhere without heavy consoles or VPNs.
Microsoft Tunnel: Provides encrypted network access regardless of user location, essential for secure remote work.
Zero Trust enforcement: Every access request is evaluated based on device health, user identity, and compliance.
Windows Autopilot: New devices arrive pre-configured and ready to use—no IT hands required.
SCCM integration: Co-management enables gradual migration and centralized control for enterprises transitioning from traditional on-premises management.
Defender for Endpoint: Built-in antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and access control enhance security posture.
Self-service portal: Users can retire, wipe, or sync their devices, reducing IT ticket volume.
Enterprise app controls: Policies enforce security without device lockdown.

Caveat: Some features (e.g., Autopilot) require Windows 10/11 and Azure AD, so older devices may have limited functionality.

Should you use Intune?

Deciding whether Intune is the right fit for your organization depends on your specific environment, workforce, and IT goals. It excels in cloud-first and hybrid workplaces, especially where device diversity and remote access are top concerns.

Pros:

Designed for cloud-first, modern IT environments
Supports a wide range of OSes: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
Ideal for distributed and hybrid workforces
Strong compliance and Conditional Access controls

Cons:

Admin console can feel complex; lacks drag-and-drop UI
Some non-Windows platforms experience minor friction (e.g., device enrollment quirks)
Small IT teams might find it overwhelming without managed services support
Requires investment in identity infrastructure (Azure AD)

While Intune's strengths make it compelling for many organizations, it's a platform that's rapidly evolving. Microsoft continually releases updates and new features that address previous limitations and add powerful capabilities.

Notable Intune Updates in 2025

Microsoft has rapidly evolved Intune into a full-fledged endpoint management powerhouse, increasingly blurring lines between identity, security, and device control.

Microsoft Intune Suite

The Intune Suite bundles core MDM/MAM features with advanced capabilities like:

Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM): Control app elevations and admin rights with precision.
Advanced analytics: Gain deep insights into endpoint health and compliance trends.
Cloud PKI: Managed Public Key Infrastructure to simplify certificate issuance and management.
Remote help: Streamlined remote support tools integrated directly into the platform.

Endpoint Privilege Management: Now with wildcards

EPM now supports wildcard matching in file names and paths for elevation rules, enabling automation even when apps have variable install locations or frequent updates.

Examples:

VSCodeUserSetup*.exe matches all Visual Studio Code user setup executables.
C:\Users\*\Downloads\ targets downloads folders across user profiles.

This reduces manual rule creation and lowers administrative overhead as app environments grow more dynamic.

App management & platform improvements

Expanded OEMConfig app support enhances Android Enterprise deployments.
ARM64 app support improves performance on Windows devices running ARM processors.
Android Bluetooth lockdown via Settings Catalog mitigates data exfiltration risks.
Apple AI screen-capture control stops sensitive data leaks from unauthorized screen recordings.
iOS screen capture restrictions enforce app-level protection, crucial for privacy compliance.

These updates show Microsoft's commitment to platform-specific security and operational improvements across device types.

Device configuration & inventory

Apple Settings Catalog offers more granular configuration options for macOS and iOS.
Android enrollment templates enable device tagging and naming at first boot.
Cross-platform inventory consolidates device data across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Unattended remote help extends support capabilities to Zebra and Samsung Android devices.
Linux security improvements include support for global exclusions to fine-tune threat detection.

Note: Cross-platform inventory requires proper licensing and integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

Policy, security & deployment enhancements

Policy Reporting v3: Real-time insights into policy deployment status eliminate guesswork and reduce troubleshooting time.
Autopilot app enforcement: Devices can't access resources until required apps are installed.
Multi-admin approvals: Critical actions like device wipe or retire now require multiple admin consents.
Security baseline bug alert: Custom security baselines may reset during upgrades, so admins must reapply configurations post-update.

Admin vigilance is key during feature upgrades to avoid unintended policy resets.

FAQ: Microsoft Intune

What is Microsoft Intune used for?

Microsoft Intune provides effective endpoint protection and management of corporate systems, supporting the entire device life cycle from onboarding to decommissioning.

How do I enroll a device in Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune contains specific onboarding tools and information for connecting and commissioning devices.

What does Microsoft Intune do?

Microsoft Intune provides endpoint protection through secure VPN, configuration management, application-specific controls and more.

How much is Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune operates on a subscription basis with per-device fees. Costs vary according to plan choice and other factors.

Is Microsoft Intune Safe?

Microsoft Intune promotes endpoint safety and protection. Systems running Intune are generally safer than those without it, with reports and features supporting broader cybersecurity efforts.

What's the purpose of Microsoft Intune?

The purpose is helping corporate networks harden systems through effective endpoint management via configuration management, enterprise app management, VPN, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.