Microsoft Intune Mobile Management is Microsoft’s answer to a massive modern-day headache: how do you manage and protect company data when it’s being accessed on dozens, or even hundreds, of different devices, many of which you don’t even own? In short, it’s a cloud-based service for managing both the devices and the applications your team uses every day.
It gives you a single pane of glass to make sure every device accessing your network—whether it’s a company laptop or a personal smartphone—is playing by your security rules.
Your Digital Security Guard for a Modern Workforce
Think of it this way. Your company data used to live inside a secure office building. It was easy to keep an eye on things because everyone worked under one roof. But now, your team is everywhere—at home, in coffee shops, on the train—using a mix of company-issued and personal devices. This is where things get complicated.
Intune mobile management acts like a highly intelligent, digital security guard for this new, borderless office. This guard isn’t just standing at the front door; it’s at every single digital entry point. Whether an employee is on their personal iPhone or a corporate Windows laptop, Intune is there to check their “ID” and ensure their device is safe before letting them near any sensitive company information.
The Two Pillars of Intune Control
Intune’s real strength lies in its two different, but equally powerful, ways of managing things. Getting your head around this is the key to creating a security policy that’s both strong and flexible, especially in a world of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).
The two core strategies are:
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): This is the all-in approach. When a device is enrolled in MDM, Intune gets full control over the device itself. You can enforce PIN codes, mandate encryption, push out software updates, and even wipe the device if it’s lost or stolen. It’s the perfect fit for company-owned hardware where you need maximum control.
- Mobile Application Management (MAM): This is a much more surgical and less intrusive method. Instead of managing the entire device, MAM focuses only on protecting the data inside specific work apps like Outlook, Teams, or OneDrive. This means you can secure your company information without touching an employee’s personal photos or messages. It’s the go-to solution for BYOD.
To make the difference crystal clear, here’s a quick comparison.
Intune MDM vs MAM At a Glance
| Aspect | Mobile Device Management (MDM) | Mobile Application Management (MAM) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | The entire device (phone, tablet, laptop) | The applications and the data within them |
| Control Level | Full device control and configuration | Application-level control only |
| Use Case | Company-owned devices | Personal devices (Bring Your Own Device – BYOD) |
| Example Policy | “Enforce a 6-digit PIN on this iPhone.” | “Block copy/paste from Outlook to personal apps.” |
| Impact on User | Company has visibility and control over the whole device. | Company has no visibility into personal data or apps. |
This dual approach means you can create a robust security framework that protects your data without compromising your team’s privacy or flexibility.
Why This Matters for UK Businesses
With hybrid and remote working now standard practice, strong device management is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s an absolute necessity. For UK businesses, particularly SMEs, the stakes are high.
The shift in working models has fuelled a huge demand for tools like Intune. In fact, recent surveys show that around 78% of UK SMEs using Microsoft Intune report an improved security posture. Better yet, by automating things like device setup and policy updates, businesses can slash IT overhead by up to 40%. All of this helps ensure you stay compliant with critical regulations like the UK Data Protection Act and GDPR. If you want to dig deeper, you can find more insights on Microsoft Intune adoption and how UK businesses are using it to their advantage.
Ultimately, Intune’s blend of MDM and MAM gives you the power to embrace modern ways of working without leaving your business vulnerable.
Ready to secure your mobile workforce? Phone 0845 855 0000 today or Send us a message to discuss how we can help.
Diving into the Core Features of Microsoft Intune
To really get a feel for what Intune mobile management can do, we need to look under the bonnet at the tools that make it tick. These features are the nuts and bolts of your modern workplace security, working together to create a secure and manageable environment for all your company’s devices and applications.
At its heart, Intune stands on three main pillars: Conditional Access, application lifecycle management, and device compliance policies. Figuring out how these three interact is the key to building a security framework that’s tough enough to protect your data but flexible enough for a modern, mobile workforce.
Conditional Access: Your Intelligent Gatekeeper
Think of your company data as a VIP lounge. Conditional Access policies are the smart bouncers at the door. They don’t just check for a password; they’re much cleverer than that, operating on a simple “if-then” logic to grant or deny access based on a whole host of signals.
This intelligent gatekeeper looks at several factors in real-time before letting someone into resources like SharePoint or Teams. These signals include:
- Who is it? Is this a recognised employee or a stranger trying their luck?
- What device are they using? Is it encrypted, up-to-date, and free from malware?
- Where are they? Are they on a trusted office network or a dodgy public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop?
- What are they trying to access? Is it a highly sensitive finance app or just a general collaboration tool?
So, if a user on their personal, unmanaged laptop tries to open a folder with sensitive client data, a Conditional Access policy could step in. It might block them outright or, more subtly, ask them to verify their identity with multi-factor authentication. This kind of granular control is the cornerstone of a modern “zero-trust” security model.
Full Application Lifecycle Management
Intune isn’t just about locking down devices; it’s also about managing the software running on them. This covers the entire life of an app, from the moment you deploy it to the day you retire it. It’s all about making sure your team has the tools they need, while your company data stays safe and sound.
A big part of this is Mobile Application Management (MAM), and Intune’s approach is particularly slick. It lets you:
- Deploy Apps: Automatically push essential software like Microsoft Office or your own business apps to devices. No more manual installs, and everyone gets the right version.
- Configure Apps: Pre-configure settings, like email server details in Outlook, so employees can get started straight away without any fuss.
- Protect App Data: Use App Protection Policies (APP) to create a secure bubble around your corporate data inside an app. This is how you can stop someone from copying sensitive text from a work email and pasting it into their personal WhatsApp.
- Retire Apps: When an employee leaves, you can trigger a “selective wipe.” This clever feature removes only the corporate data from the apps on their personal phone, leaving all their photos, contacts, and personal files completely untouched.
This surgical control over application data is what makes a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy not just possible but also secure. It respects employee privacy while rigorously protecting corporate information.
Enforcing Device Compliance Policies
Finally, we have device compliance policies. These are the non-negotiable ground rules that every single device must follow to be considered “healthy” and trustworthy. Think of them as the baseline requirements a device must meet before Conditional Access even bothers to look at it.
It’s like a mandatory MOT for your devices. You can set rules that require every device to:
- Run a minimum operating system version.
- Be protected by a PIN, password, or biometrics.
- Have disk encryption switched on (like BitLocker for Windows or FileVault for macOS).
- Not be “jailbroken” or “rooted,” as this breaks the device’s built-in security.
If a device slips out of compliance—say, a user turns off their PIN—Intune spots it immediately. The system can then automatically take action, like sending the user a notification to fix the problem or blocking their access to company resources until the device is secure again. It’s this automation that ensures your security standards are consistently upheld across every single device.
Ready to explore how these features can secure your business? Phone 0845 855 0000 today or Send us a message to get started.
Making Sense of Intune Licensing and Architecture
Let’s be honest, figuring out Microsoft licensing can sometimes feel like you need a secret decoder ring. The good news is that for Intune mobile management, it’s a lot simpler than you might think. Microsoft has cleverly bundled it into their most popular Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
You generally don’t go out and buy Intune on its own. Instead, it’s a core part of the Microsoft 365 suites that businesses are already using for email, collaboration, and everything in between. This means your security and management tools are baked right into the ecosystem from the start.
Where Does Intune Fit in Your Microsoft 365 Plan?
For most small and medium-sized businesses, getting access to Intune is as simple as choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan. This bundling offers fantastic value, pairing critical management features with the Office apps, Teams, and cloud storage you rely on every day.
The plans where you’ll most commonly find Intune are:
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: This is the go-to for many SMBs. It’s the perfect blend of the familiar Office apps with serious security tools, including the full Intune suite for managing all your devices and applications.
- Microsoft 365 E3: Geared towards larger organisations, E3 offers everything in Business Premium plus extra features for things like legal compliance and advanced analytics.
- Microsoft 365 E5: The top-of-the-line option. It has all the E3 features and adds another layer of sophisticated security, voice capabilities, and powerful analytics with Power BI Pro.
Getting your head around these bundles is the key to smart budgeting. When you pick a plan with Intune already included, you sidestep extra licensing fees and build a connected IT environment where everything just works together.
This approach has driven huge adoption here in the UK. In fact, over 2,600 companies in the UK, including big names like BP and Deloitte, now rely on Microsoft Intune. It’s a clear sign of the shift towards cloud-based management to keep remote and hybrid teams secure and productive. You can find out more about how UK businesses are using Intune to adapt their IT.
To help you visualise the options, here’s a quick breakdown of the most common plans for SMBs that include Intune.
Microsoft 365 Licensing Plans with Intune (UK Pricing)
| Plan | Ideal For | Key Intune Features | Estimated Monthly Cost (GBP per user) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | SMBs (up to 300 users) needing advanced security and device management without enterprise complexity. | Full MDM & MAM, Conditional Access, Windows Autopilot, App Protection Policies. | £18.60 |
| Microsoft 365 E3 | Larger businesses or those with specific compliance needs. | All Business Premium features, plus more advanced information protection and governance. | £32.00 |
| Microsoft 365 E5 | Organisations needing the highest level of security, analytics, and voice capabilities. | All E3 features, plus Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, advanced threat intelligence, and Power BI Pro. | £53.80 |
Note: Prices are estimates and subject to change based on Microsoft’s current pricing and commitment terms.
Choosing the right plan ensures you’re not paying for features you don’t need while getting all the management muscle required to secure your business.
Understanding the Bigger Picture: Intune’s Place in the Ecosystem
To really understand Intune, you need to see where it fits in Microsoft’s grand plan. It’s a fundamental piece of Microsoft Endpoint Manager, which is the new, unified brand for Microsoft’s device management solutions.
Think of Microsoft Endpoint Manager as the main control panel for all your company’s devices. It brings two powerful tools together under one roof:
- Microsoft Intune: This is the cloud-native side of things. It’s built for managing modern devices like iPhones, Androids, Windows 10/11 laptops, and Macs, no matter where they are.
- Configuration Manager (SCCM): This is the traditional workhorse. It’s the on-premises tool that IT admins have used for years to manage servers and desktops connected to the company network.
This unified platform is a game-changer for businesses that are moving to the cloud. You can use a “co-management” approach, continuing to use SCCM for your old-school servers while shifting your laptops and mobiles over to Intune. It gives you a clear, future-proof path forward. And at the heart of it all is identity, which is managed by Azure AD. To get a handle on that, take a look at our guide on what is Azure Active Directory.
Ready to simplify your device management? Phone 0845 855 0000 today or Send us a message.
Your Strategic Intune Rollout and Enrolment Plan
Rolling out Intune mobile management successfully isn’t just a matter of flipping a switch. It’s a strategic process. A proper deployment plan is your best defence against common pitfalls, helping to minimise disruption for your team and secure your device fleet from day one. The golden rule? Start small, test everything, and keep everyone in the loop.
The very first step is figuring out how you’ll get devices under Intune’s management. This is called enrolment, and the right approach depends entirely on the device itself and who owns it. One of the most frequent mistakes we see is a mismatch between the enrolment method and the real-world use case, which almost always causes headaches later.
Choosing Your Device Enrolment Strategy
There’s no single, perfect way to enrol devices. The best method for you will hinge on whether a device is company property or a personal one (BYOD), as well as its operating system. Your aim is to make the process as painless as possible for both your IT crew and the end-users.
Here are the main methods you’ll be working with:
- Windows Autopilot: This is the gold standard for new, corporate-owned Windows machines. It delivers a true “zero-touch” experience. A new laptop can be shipped directly from the manufacturer to an employee, and the moment they turn it on and connect to the internet, Autopilot automatically applies all the right company policies, apps, and security settings.
- Apple Business Manager (ABM) / School Manager (ASM): Think of this as Apple’s version of Autopilot. It lets you automate the enrolment of new iPhones, iPads, and Macs into Intune. This ensures they are fully supervised and managed from the second they’re unboxed.
- Android Enterprise Enrolment: For Android, things are a bit different. For company-owned devices, you’ll want “fully managed” enrolment for complete control. For personal devices used for work, the “work profile” is the way to go. It cleverly creates a secure, separate container on the device for all work-related apps and data, leaving the user’s personal stuff completely untouched and private.
A quick but crucial note on Android: the old “Device Administrator” model is on its way out. Google started phasing it out back in 2017, and Intune support for it will end for most devices by the close of 2024. Moving over to Android Enterprise isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential for future security and functionality.
The Phased Rollout: A Blueprint for Success
Once you’ve mapped out your enrolment methods, fight the temptation to deploy to everyone at once. A phased rollout is, without a doubt, the safest and most effective path forward. This approach lets you catch and fix any issues with a small, controlled group before they can impact the entire organisation.
Here’s what a typical phased deployment looks like:
- Define and Build Policies: Begin by creating your core set of compliance rules, configuration profiles, and app protection policies. What are your non-negotiable security baselines? Which applications must be deployed to everyone?
- Pilot Group (Start with IT): Enrol a small, tech-savvy group—your own IT team is perfect for this. They can test the policies, give honest feedback on the enrolment experience, and help you smooth out any initial wrinkles.
- Expand to a Test Group: Next, pick a small sample of users from different departments. This is a great way to see how your policies affect various day-to-day workflows and job roles. Get their feedback on how easy it was and whether your instructions were clear.
- Full-Scale Deployment: With the confidence that your policies are solid and the enrolment process is smooth, you can kick off the company-wide rollout. Make sure you communicate the plan clearly, explaining what people need to do and why it’s important.
This flow chart gives you a simple visual guide for a successful Intune mobile management rollout.
By following this process, you ensure that by the time you go live for everyone, most of the potential gremlins have been found and fixed, making for a much calmer transition.
Migrating from an Existing MDM Solution
If you’re switching from another MDM provider, the process needs a bit more care. You can’t just copy and paste your old settings; it’s an opportunity to rethink your strategy within the Microsoft ecosystem. A great starting point is to audit all your current policies and decide what to keep, what to scrap, and what could be done better in Intune.
The most delicate part is handling the device switch itself. A device can only be managed by one MDM solution at a time. This means you have to formally unenroll every single device from your old system before you can enrol it into Intune. Crystal-clear communication with your users is absolutely vital here to avoid leaving devices unprotected, even for a short time. A well-orchestrated migration guarantees security and business continuity throughout the changeover.
Need help planning your Intune deployment? Phone 0845 855 0000 today or Send us a message to speak with one of our experts.
Applying Security and Governance Best Practices
Alright, so your devices are enrolled and the initial policies are humming along. Now the real work begins. Managing Intune isn’t a “set it and forget it” task; it’s an ongoing commitment to keeping your company’s data locked down. Getting this part right transforms your Intune setup from a simple tool into a robust security fortress for the long haul.
The first step in solid governance is controlling who can do what inside the Intune portal itself. It sounds basic, but this is a critical step to prevent accidental misconfigurations and ensure everyone is accountable for their actions.
Enforcing the Principle of Least Privilege with RBAC
The cornerstone of secure administration is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). In simple terms, this means giving your IT staff only the permissions they absolutely need to do their jobs—and nothing more. Think of it like a hotel key system: you don’t give the cleaning staff a master key that opens the hotel safe; you give them a key that only opens the rooms they need to clean.
You can create custom roles that fit your team’s real-world responsibilities. For instance:
- Help Desk Operator: This person can view device compliance and help users with password resets, but they can’t touch the core security policies that protect the entire company.
- Application Manager: This role has the authority to deploy and update apps but is restricted from changing device configuration or security settings.
- Policy Administrator: A senior team member who can create and tweak compliance and configuration policies across the entire organisation.
By implementing RBAC properly, you drastically slash the risk of someone—intentionally or accidentally—making a change that leaves your business exposed.
Layering Your Defences with Security Integrations
Intune is powerful on its own, but its true strength is unleashed when you connect it with other Microsoft security tools. Integrating Intune with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a game-changer, creating a single, unified view of your security posture.
When you link them, Defender assesses a device’s risk level based on any threats it finds. That risk score gets passed straight back to Intune, which then uses it as a condition for access. If a phone is flagged as high-risk, Intune can automatically block it from accessing company email and files until the threat is sorted. It’s a dynamic, self-healing security loop that protects your network in real-time. For a broader perspective, it’s worth exploring other essential cybersecurity strategies for businesses to build a multi-layered defence.
Crafting a Clear and Fair BYOD Policy
If you’re embracing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model, having a crystal-clear policy isn’t just a good idea—it’s non-negotiable. This document clearly defines what’s expected of employees, outlining their responsibilities while also respecting their personal privacy. To truly secure devices, you also need solid data protection measures, which is why many businesses are implementing full disk encryption on mobile devices as a baseline requirement.
Your BYOD policy should spell out exactly what company data can be accessed, the security measures required (like MAM app protection), and what happens if a device is lost or an employee leaves the company. Being transparent from the start builds trust and makes sure everyone is on the same page.
This proactive approach is particularly vital in the UK, where Intune helps businesses meet strict compliance standards like GDPR. UK-based IT managers often find that Intune’s centralised console makes them far more efficient. In fact, some organisations have cut their patch management time by an average of 35%. For industries where regulatory compliance and data breach prevention are top priorities, these capabilities are indispensable.
When to Partner with an Intune Expert
Getting an Intune mobile management solution up and running is one thing; keeping it optimised and secure is another challenge entirely. While Intune is incredibly powerful, its complexity can easily become a major time sink for a growing business. What starts as a security upgrade can quickly turn into an administrative headache.
Knowing when to call in the experts isn’t admitting defeat—it’s a smart strategic decision. Partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) isn’t about giving up control. It’s about gaining a specialist who lives and breathes this stuff. This ensures you get every ounce of value from your Microsoft 365 investment, letting your team focus on driving the business forward, not getting lost in device policies and compliance reports.
Signals That You Need Expert Help
So, when is the right time to bring in a partner? There are usually a few clear signs that your internal team is stretched to its limit. If any of these situations sound familiar, it’s probably time to have a conversation.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Lack of In-House Specialisation: Your IT team might be brilliant all-rounders, but do they have the deep, niche expertise needed to master Intune’s more advanced features?
- Time Constraints: Juggling a mixed fleet of devices, fixing user issues, and keeping up with Microsoft’s constant updates is a full-time job. It can easily pull your team away from other important projects.
- Increasing Security Complexity: The world of cyber threats never stands still. A dedicated partner brings a laser focus on security, making sure your setup is always aligned with the latest best practices.
- Complex Migration or Rollout: Shifting from an old MDM platform or deploying Intune across the entire business requires meticulous planning. One wrong move can cause disruption or leave security holes.
Bringing in an expert elevates Intune from a reactive management tool to a proactive strategic asset. An MSP doesn’t just help with the setup; they provide ongoing monitoring, strategic advice, and the simple reassurance that your mobile security is in safe hands.
For many businesses, this is part of a bigger picture. Exploring broader cloud computing and managed services can build a more comprehensive support system. A good partner helps you create a secure, efficient, and scalable IT environment that not only supports your goals today but also gets you ready for whatever comes next.
Ready to maximise your Intune investment and secure your business? The team at F1Group is here to help.
Phone 0845 855 0000 today or Send us a message to discuss your Intune mobile management needs.