Managing Microsoft Defender for Endpoint with Intune on Non-Enrolled Devices

In today's world, keeping your digital devices secure is more important than ever. Microsoft Intune offers powerful tools to help manage security, even for devices not enrolled in Intune. This guide will show you how to use Intune to manage Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) and ensure your devices stay protected. We’ll also cover some important limitations and tips to keep in mind.

Understanding Intune Endpoint Security Policies

Intune's endpoint security policies make it easier to manage and set up security on devices. If your organization uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Intune can help manage devices that aren't directly enrolled with it. This means you can protect a wide range of devices and setups, keeping everything secure.

Devices Unsupported by Security Settings Management

While Intune offers extensive management capabilities, there are specific devices where security settings management is not supported. These include:

• Non-persistent desktops: Such as Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) clients.
• Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD): Previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD).
• Domain Controllers: Particularly those running older server operating systems.
• 32-bit versions of Windows: These versions lack compatibility for security settings management.

Special Considerations for Domain Controllers

Domain Controllers (DCs) are critical components in any IT infrastructure, managing network security and data access. However, there are specific considerations when managing DCs with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint:

• Unsupported Versions: Domain Controllers running down-level server operating systems like 2012 R2 or 2016 can sometimes be unintentionally managed by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
• Recommendation: To prevent inadvertent management, ensure that your Domain Controllers are neither tagged with “MDE-Management” nor managed by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. This precaution helps maintain the integrity and intended management scope of your DCs.

Implementing Intune Endpoint Security Policies

To effectively manage Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on non-enrolled devices using Intune, follow these steps:

1. Configure Endpoint Security Policies: Navigate to the Intune console and set up the necessary security policies tailored for your organizational needs. These policies should align with your overall security strategy.
2. Deploy Policies to Non-Enrolled Devices: Utilize Intune’s flexibility to deploy these security policies to devices that are not enrolled. This ensures that all endpoints, regardless of their enrollment status, receive consistent and robust security configurations.
3. Monitor and Adjust Policies: Continuously monitor the effectiveness of your deployed policies. Intune provides reporting and analytics tools to help you assess security posture and make necessary adjustments.

Finally

Managing Microsoft Defender for Endpoint through Intune on devices not enrolled with Intune enhances your organization’s security posture. By understanding the limitations and following best practices, such as avoiding the management of unsupported devices like older Domain Controllers, you can ensure a comprehensive and secure environment. Leveraging Intune’s endpoint security policies allows for a unified approach to endpoint management, providing robust protection across diverse device configurations. Click Here For More Info.