Intune Security Baselines: Top Protection Picks!

Key insights

• Intune Security Baselines are groups of preconfigured Windows settings that help organizations apply recommended security standards across all devices, making device management more consistent and secure.


• Using a security baseline ensures consistency and compliance, as all devices follow the same security rules, reducing risks of breaches or non-compliance.


• Deployment is efficient because you can apply baselines to thousands of devices at once, saving time and ensuring every device meets your organization’s security needs.


• Customization options let organizations adjust baselines for specific requirements, such as changing BitLocker or password policies to match business needs without sacrificing security.


• The latest updates include a new baseline format (since May 2023) that uses the Configuration Service Provider (CSP), improving accuracy. The newest version (24H2) adds 15 settings for better control over network components like Lanman Server.


• The main benefits of Intune baselines are their wide coverage of security settings, flexibility for customization, and easy deployment across large numbers of devices—making them ideal for both small teams and large enterprises.

Introduction to Intune Security Baselines

Microsoft Intune security baselines have become an essential part of modern device management, as highlighted in Jonathan Edwards’ recent YouTube video. In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, organizations must ensure that all their devices adhere to consistent protection standards. This is particularly relevant when managing a mix of users and devices, some of whom may still have elevated privileges, such as local admin rights.

As Edwards points out, Intune security baselines are designed to standardize security configurations across all managed Windows devices. By applying these baselines, organizations can efficiently enforce best practices and reduce the risk of inconsistent settings that might otherwise lead to vulnerabilities. This approach is especially valuable whether the organization manages a handful of devices or thousands spread across multiple sites.

Understanding the Technology and Its Advantages

Intune security baselines are essentially groups of preconfigured Windows settings, carefully curated to align devices with recommended security protocols. According to Edwards, these baselines are a cornerstone of Microsoft’s broader endpoint security strategy, which also includes tools like conditional access and device health evaluations.

One of the primary advantages is consistency. By deploying a baseline, IT administrators can ensure every device is configured to meet compliance requirements, reducing exposure to threats stemming from misconfigurations. Furthermore, the process is highly scalable. Whether an organization manages 50 or 5,000 devices, deploying a baseline is straightforward and efficient, saving significant time and effort compared to manual configuration.

Another important benefit is customization. While Microsoft provides built-in baselines, organizations can tailor these templates to address their unique security needs. This flexibility allows companies to strike a balance between stringent security controls and maintaining a positive user experience.

How Intune Security Baselines Work

Edwards explains that security baselines in Intune operate through configuration profiles. When an administrator creates a baseline profile, it acts as a template containing multiple device configuration settings. These are managed via the Configuration Service Provider (CSP) for each relevant Windows product.

Deployment is handled within the Intune portal, where baselines can be assigned to groups of users or devices. The settings then apply automatically to Windows 10 and later devices. Additionally, while default baselines cover critical areas such as password policies and BitLocker encryption, administrators can further adjust these settings, allowing for both broad protection and targeted adjustments based on organizational needs.

The ability to customize baselines is crucial in environments with diverse security requirements. However, this flexibility introduces the challenge of balancing thorough security with operational usability. Overly restrictive settings could hinder productivity, whereas lenient configurations may leave gaps in protection.

Recent Developments and New Features

The video also highlights recent updates to the Intune security baseline framework. Notably, Microsoft introduced a new baseline format in May 2023. This update aligns the baseline settings more closely with the underlying CSPs, resulting in more accurate and consistent enforcement across devices.

Moreover, the latest Windows security baseline, version 24H2, brings 15 new settings specifically for managing Lanman Server and Lanman Workstation through the Windows CSP. These enhancements offer organizations finer control over network security, reflecting Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to keeping pace with emerging threats.

Despite these improvements, administrators face the ongoing challenge of staying current with evolving baselines and ensuring that all devices remain compliant. Regular review and adjustment of baselines are necessary to adapt to new security risks and organizational changes.

Community-Driven Options and Top Picks

In addition to Microsoft’s built-in baselines, Edwards discusses community-driven alternatives such as the Open Intune Baseline and tools available on GitHub. These resources can offer broader customization and innovation, as they are developed and refined by IT professionals around the world.

For many managed service providers (MSPs), these community solutions provide practical benefits, including real-world-tested configurations and ongoing updates. However, adopting community baselines may introduce the need for additional vetting to ensure they meet the unique compliance and security requirements of each organization.

Ultimately, the tradeoff between using official and community-driven baselines comes down to balancing innovation, flexibility, and the assurance of verified security standards.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Organizations

Jonathan Edwards’ video underscores the importance of leveraging Intune security baselines to safeguard organizational devices. The core strengths of these baselines lie in their ability to enforce standardized, customizable security measures across all endpoints, regardless of scale.

While built-in options offer reliability and support, community baselines provide additional flexibility and adaptability. Organizations must navigate these choices carefully, considering their specific needs, compliance obligations, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. By doing so, they can maximize both security and operational efficiency in their Microsoft 365 environments.

Keywords

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