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.

Why We Need Intune

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 a comprehensive management tool, IT often guesses which devices are connected, their health, or if they’re compliant. Intune provides a single pane of glass to see and manage every endpoint—Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
  
• Phishing risk: By integrating with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and enforcing Conditional Access, Intune shrinks attack surfaces, blocking access from compromised or risky devices before they can cause damage.
  
• Remote chaos: Hybrid work means users log in from many locations. Intune’s Conditional Access combined with Microsoft Tunnel VPN ensures secure, context-aware connections without burdening users.
  
• BYOD headaches: Protecting corporate data on personal devices without degrading user experience is tricky. Intune uses Mobile Application Management (MAM) to apply policies at the app level, securing data while keeping devices flexible.
  
• Agent overload: IT often juggles multiple endpoint tools, increasing overhead and complexity. Intune consolidates these capabilities in one console, reducing conflicts and easing management.
  
• Manual patching: Keeping devices updated manually wastes time and leaves windows open for exploits. Intune automates patch and update deployments across platforms, improving security posture.
  

Caveat: While Intune covers many scenarios well, 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—no heavy consoles or VPNs needed.
  
• 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, reducing risk from compromised endpoints.
  
• Windows Autopilot: New devices arrive pre-configured and ready to use—no IT hands required, speeding onboarding.
  
• SCCM integration: For enterprises transitioning from traditional on-prem management, co-management enables gradual migration and centralized control.
  
• 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 like app-level encryption and VPN enforce security without device lockdown.
  

Caveat: Some features (e.g., Autopilot) require Windows 10/11 and Azure AD, so older devices or environments 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. However, like any platform, it comes with trade-offs—understanding these will help you make a more informed choice and avoid surprises down the road.

Here’s a quick rundown of Intune’s strengths and areas where it may not be the perfect match:

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; no drag-and-drop UI
  
• Some non-Windows platforms experience minor friction (e.g., device enrollment quirks)
  
• Small IT teams might find it overwhelming unless paired with managed services
  
• Requires investment in identity infrastructure (Azure AD)

While Intune’s strengths make it a compelling choice for many organizations, it’s also a platform that’s rapidly evolving. Microsoft continually releases updates and new features that address previous limitations and add powerful capabilities. Let’s look at what’s changed in 2025 and how these updates are making Intune an even more essential tool for modern IT management.

Notable Intune Updates in 2025

Microsoft has rapidly evolved Intune from a solid MDM tool 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.
  

Perfect for organizations moving beyond basic MDM to proactive endpoint governance.

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—a key gain as app environments get more dynamic.

App management & platform improvements

• Expanded OEMConfig app support, including devices like RugGear, enhances Android Enterprise deployments.
  
• ARM64 app support improves performance and compatibility on Windows devices running ARM processors.
  
• Android Bluetooth lockdown via Settings Catalog mitigates risk of data exfiltration over Bluetooth, a common attack vector.
  
• Apple AI screen-capture control stops sensitive data leaks from unauthorized screen recordings—even from third-party apps.
  
• iOS screen capture restrictions enforce app-level protection, crucial for compliance with privacy regulations.
  

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

Device configuration & inventory

• Apple Settings Catalog now offers more granular configuration options for macOS and iOS, supporting tighter controls on security and user experience.
  
• Android enrollment templates enable device tagging and naming at first boot—key for large fleets to maintain order.
  
• Cross-platform inventory consolidates device data across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, giving IT a unified view.
  
• Unattended remote help extends support capabilities to Zebra and Samsung Android devices, improving field worker productivity.
  
• 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, preventing productivity loss due to incomplete setups.
  
• Multi-admin approvals: Critical actions like device wipe or retire now require multiple admin consents, adding a layer of security against accidental or malicious operations.
  
• Security baseline bug alert: Custom security baselines may reset during upgrades (23H2 → 24H2), so admins must reapply configurations post-update.
  

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

How Hypershift helps

Rolling out Intune or managing hybrid environments with SCCM is complex and resource-intensive. Hypershift has supported over 160 financial institutions in modernizing their Microsoft 365 and endpoint management strategies.

We handle:

• Migration planning and execution
  
• Policy design and enforcement
  
• Ongoing monitoring and health checks
  
• Tailored managed services to keep your environment secure and compliant
  

This partnership frees your team to focus on strategic initiatives, knowing your endpoint security is in expert hands.

Check out our Managed Services to see more of what we can offer.

FAQ: Microsoft Intune

What is Microsoft Intune used for?

Microsoft Intune is used for effective endpoint protection and management of corporate systems. It provides a comprehensive toolkit for the entire device life cycle, from on-boarding to decommissioning.

How do I enroll a device in Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune contains specific on-boarding tools and information to show business leaders how to connect and commission devices.

What does Microsoft Intune do?

Microsoft Intune provides endpoint protection by setting up things like secure VPN, configuration manager, application-specific controls and more.

How much is Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is available to companies through a subscription basis. Costs vary according to plan choice and other factors; in general, Microsoft Intune comes with per-device fees.

Is Microsoft Intune Safe?

Microsoft Intune is a safe technology that promotes endpoint safety and protection. It’s usually safer to run a system with Microsoft Intune than without it. Reports and other features may also be helpful to a network’s more general cybersecurity effort.

What's the purpose of Microsoft Intune?

The purpose of Microsoft Intune is to help corporate networks harden their systems by pursuing effective endpoint management. It accomplishes this through many different tools: configuration manager, enterprise app management, VPN, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.