Microsoft Intune Explained

Microsoft Intune is Microsoft's tool for managing the devices your team uses: Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads and Android phones. It lets you set rules for those devices, install the apps people need, and check that every device is healthy before it gets access to company data.

What Intune actually does

• Configuration: pushes settings to devices, such as disk encryption, screen lock, Wi-Fi and firewall rules.
• Compliance: checks each device against your rules (encrypted, up to date, not jailbroken) and marks it compliant or not.
• Apps: installs and updates company apps, so new hires don't spend their first morning downloading software.
• Updates: controls when Windows and macOS updates install, so devices don't fall months behind.
• Protection when things go wrong: lets you lock a lost device or remove company data from it.

Company-owned vs personal devices

Intune handles both, but differently.

• Company-owned devices are fully managed. They can be set up automatically the first time someone signs in (Windows Autopilot, or Apple Business Manager for Macs and iPhones).
• Personal phones usually use app protection instead. Company data stays inside apps like Outlook and Teams and can be removed without touching personal photos or messages.

How it works with Conditional Access

On its own, Intune tells you whether a device is healthy. Paired with Conditional Access, it can enforce it: only compliant devices can open email, Teams or SharePoint. That's what turns device management from a report into real protection.

Licensing

Intune is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. It's also sold on its own. Many small businesses already pay for it through Business Premium without using it.

Why it matters

Laptops get lost, people leave, and updates get skipped. Intune means every device that touches company data meets the same standard, and you can prove it when a customer or insurer asks.