Lock It Down: A Guide to Risk-Based Security with Microsoft Intune

Remember when office security meant locking the front door at 5:00 PM? Those days are long gone. Today, your "office" is wherever your employees happen to be...a boujee coffee shop, a kitchen table, or an airport terminal. Their devices are the new desks, and their identities are the new keys.

If managing that sprawl feels like herding cats, you aren't alone.

For Small to Mid-sized Businesses (SMBs), the challenge is balancing security with convenience. You can't lock down devices so tightly that people can't work, but you can't leave them wide open to ransomware, either. This is where Microsoft 365 Identity, Access & Endpoint Security comes into play. Specifically, we need to talk about the heavy hitter in the lineup: Microsoft Intune.

Implementing a risk-based Intune policy isn't just a "nice to have." It is the difference between a secure, resilient business and one that’s just waiting for a breach. Let's explore how to turn this powerful tool into your digital bodyguard.

Table of Contents

1. What is Microsoft Intune?
2. Step-By-Step: Creating a Risk-Based Intune Security Policy
3. Identity Is the New Perimeter
4. Microsoft 365: Building a Comprehensive IT Ecosystem
5. Implementation: Why Do It and What to Watch For
6. The Benefits of Professional Implementation
7. Start Securing Your Future
8. Key Takeaways
9. Frequently Asked Questions

What is Microsoft Intune?

Think of Microsoft Intune as the central command center for every device touching your business data. It is a cloud-based endpoint management solution that handles two critical jobs: Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM).

In plain English? It controls how your devices (laptops, phones, tablets) behave and how your applications (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint) protect data.

For businesses, Intune provides visibility. You can't secure what you can't see. Intune lets you enforce encryption, require passcodes, and ensure that only healthy, updated devices can access your emails and files. It bridges the gap between the chaotic reality of remote work and the strict requirements of data security.

Step-By-Step: Creating a Risk-Based Intune Security Policy

Moving to Intune device security isn't about flipping a single switch. It requires a thoughtful, risk-based approach. A risk-based policy doesn't treat every user or device the same; it adapts based on the threat level.

Here is how to build a policy that keeps the bad guys out without locking your employees out.

Step 1: Define Your Compliance Requirements

Before configuring settings, you must decide what "safe" looks like for your organization. A Compliance Policy acts as a baseline health check. If a device wants to talk to your network, it must meet these standards. Common baseline requirements include:

• BitLocker Encryption: Is the hard drive encrypted?
• OS Version: Is the device running a supported, updated operating system?
• Password/PIN: Does the device require a strong password or biometric unlock?
• Jailbreak Detection: Has the device been tampered with?

Step 2: Configure the Compliance Policy in Intune

Once you have your rules, you input them into Intune. You will create separate policies for each platform (Windows, iOS, Android, macOS).

• Navigate to the Endpoint Manager admin center.
• Select Devices > Compliance policies.
• Create a policy that mirrors your definitions from Step 1.
• Crucial Step: Define "Actions for non-compliance." If a device fails the test (e.g., the antivirus is turned off), what happens? You can warn the user via email, or you can immediately mark the device as "non-compliant."

Step 3: Layer on Conditional Access

This is where the magic happens. A Compliance Policy just checks the device; Conditional Access (part of Entra ID) is the bouncer that enforces the rules.

• Create a Conditional Access policy that states: "If a device is marked 'non-compliant' by Intune, Block Access to Microsoft 365 resources."
• This creates a closed loop. If a user’s laptop misses a critical security update, Intune flags it. Conditional Access then stops that specific laptop from opening SharePoint until the update is installed.

Step 4: Test with Report-Only Mode

Never deploy a new security policy to the entire company on a Friday afternoon. You will break something.

• Use "Report-Only" mode for your Conditional Access policies first.
• This allows you to see who would have been blocked without actually stopping them from working. It helps you identify legitimate users who might have weird device configurations.

Identity Is the New Perimeter

You might be wondering why we are talking about devices when everyone keeps saying "Identity is everything." The truth is, they are two sides of the same coin.

The traditional network perimeter (the firewall around your office) is gone. We discuss this shift in depth in our article, The Moat Is Gone: Why Identity Is Your New Fortress in Microsoft 365.

In this new reality, your security relies on verifying who is logging in (Identity) and what they are logging in with (Device). A risk-based Intune policy feeds directly into this. Even if a user has the correct username and password (valid identity), we shouldn't let them in if they are logging in from a malware-infected, unencrypted tablet (risky device).

By combining strong identity verification (like Multi-Factor Authentication) with strict device compliance, you build a fortress that moves with your user.

Microsoft 365: Building a Comprehensive IT Ecosystem

One of the biggest mistakes SMBs make is buying Microsoft 365 purely for email and Word documents, ignoring the massive security engine under the hood.

Intune does not operate in a vacuum. It is part of a unified ecosystem:

• Microsoft Defender: Intune pushes Defender policies to endpoints, ensuring antivirus is active and cloud-delivered protection is on.
• Microsoft Purview: Intune helps enforce data protection policies, ensuring sensitive company data isn't copied into unauthorized apps.
• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD): Intune provides the device status that Entra ID needs to make smart access decisions.

When you treat Microsoft 365 as a comprehensive platform rather than a collection of apps, you eliminate the need for expensive third-party tools. You don't need a separate MDM provider, a separate antivirus, and a separate encryption tool. It is all integrated, talking to each other, and responding to risks in real-time.

Implementation: Why Do It and What to Watch For

Why go through the effort of setting this up? The answer is resilience. A risk-based policy proactively defends against breaches. It stops a lost laptop from becoming a data leak. It prevents a hacker from using a stolen session token on an unmanaged device.

However, implementation isn't without hurdles.

The Challenges

1. User Pushback: Employees often resist having "company management" on their personal phones (BYOD). Clear communication is key here; explaining that MAM protects company data without spying on personal photos.
2. Complexity: Intune has thousands of settings. Configuring them incorrectly can inadvertently block legitimate business processes.
3. Maintenance: Security isn't "set it and forget it." OS versions change, new threats emerge, and policies need regular tuning.

The Benefits of Professional Implementation

This brings us to the value of partnership. While Microsoft 365 provides the tools, configuring them requires expertise. A misconfigured policy can be just as dangerous as no policy at all.

This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like ABT becomes invaluable. Our flagship platform, Microsoft 365 Guardian, takes the robust foundation of Microsoft 365 Business Premium and layers on enterprise-grade hardening.

We don't just sell you the license. As a Tier 1 Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), we turn the Microsoft cloud into a secure, intelligent foundation. We handle the complexity of Intune device management, ensuring your encryption standards, OS baselines, and Zero Trust policies are configured correctly from day one.

With ABT Guardian, you get the peace of mind that comes from knowing your Microsoft 365 Identity, Access & Endpoint Security strategy is aligned with what regulators, auditors, and attackers actually expect...not just the default settings.

Start Securing Your Future

The modern attack surface is only getting wider. Relying on default settings or outdated perimeter security is a gamble you can't afford to take. By implementing risk-based Intune policies, you take control of your data, your devices, and your future.

Don't navigate the complexities of Microsoft 365 alone. Let ABT be your guide. We can help you deploy a security architecture that enables your business to grow safely.

Ready to harden your defenses? Contact ABT today to learn more about Microsoft 365 Guardian.

Key Takeaways

• Intune is Essential: It bridges the gap between remote work flexibility and data security through MDM and MAM.
• Context Matters: Risk-based policies evaluate the health of the device before granting access to company data.
• Integration is Key: Intune works best when paired with Entra ID and Defender for a unified "Zero Trust" ecosystem.
• Expertise Saves Time: Partnering with an MSP like ABT ensures your policies are configured correctly, avoiding user disruption and security gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does installing Intune on employee phones allow the company to see personal photos?
   No. When using Mobile Application Management (MAM) or appropriate BYOD enrollment profiles, Intune isolates business data from personal data. IT can wipe company emails if the employee leaves, but they cannot see personal text messages, photos, or browser history.
2. What happens if a device becomes non-compliant?
   It depends on your policy configuration. Typically, the device is allowed a short grace period to fix the issue (like updating the OS). If it remains non-compliant, Conditional Access policies will block the device from accessing Microsoft 365 resources like Teams or OneDrive until the issue is resolved.
3. Is Microsoft Intune included in my subscription?
   Intune is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and certain Enterprise (E3/E5) plans. If you are on Business Standard or Basic, you may not have access to these advanced security features. ABT can help assess your licensing to ensure you have the coverage you need.