If you’ve worked in information security, you’ve likely heard that “security is only as good as its weakest link.” The unspoken truth? That weakest link is usually human error. Everyone—myself included—makes typos in configurations, clicks without thinking, or overlooks small details that can compromise data integrity. When rolling out policies across tens or hundreds of devices, mistakes are inevitable, and mistakes start breaches. The best approach? Minimize guesswork by ensuring everything runs on a standardized, thoroughly reviewed configuration.

This is where Mobile Device Management (MDM) comes in. At Access Tech, we’ve been deploying Microsoft Intune to simplify and secure device management across our clients’ environments.

Exploring the Tooling

Intune is a powerful tool, integrating deeply with Microsoft’s IT ecosystem and replacing traditional Group Policy systems. However, with that power comes complexity. In my experience, the best place to start is device onboarding. It’s more intricate than it seems, and getting it right sets the stage for everything else.

Next, focus on Device Configuration, the most involved part of Intune. I highly recommend using a guide to navigate this—CIS Security offers excellent resources to introduce you to key configuration categories and best practices. With a solid understanding of these two areas, you’ll have a strong foundation in Intune MDM.

Common Pitfalls

One major challenge with Intune is policy conflicts. When assigning multiple policies to a user or device, conflicts can arise if two policies attempt to configure the same setting. This leads to unpredictable behavior and errors. To avoid this, carefully plan and structure your policy groups before deployment.

Key Takeaways

• Plan, Plan, Plan: Define your approach before deploying to avoid unnecessary headaches.
• Leverage Microsoft Integrations: Intune works seamlessly with Entra, Defender for Endpoint, and Purview to enhance security and visibility.
• Experiment Safely: Testing on a non-critical device lets you explore policies without risk.

If you’d rather skip the hassle, we’d love to help with your rollout. Let’s talk about securing your environment.