127: Device Configuration
Implementation Effort: High
User Impact: Medium
Overview
Device configuration in Microsoft Intune is how you set the desired operating state of a device: security options, user experience, browser behavior, network profiles, certificates, restrictions, and other platform settings. In a Zero Trust endpoint strategy, configuration policy should be organized, minimal, and intentional so devices receive only the controls they need, and administrators can understand where a setting comes from when troubleshooting.
Implementation Guidance
- Design a configuration policy taxonomy before creating large numbers of profiles. Decide which settings belong in Settings Catalog, endpoint security, administrative templates, security baselines, certificates, and platform-specific templates.
- Avoid using configuration policies to measure compliance. Set the desired state here; let compliance policies evaluate the minimum acceptable state for access decisions.
- Group settings by purpose and ownership, not by random admin convenience. Examples include identity and sign-in, Defender and firewall, browser, network access, local admin controls, and user experience restrictions.
- Pilot new settings carefully and avoid giant monolithic profiles when small, well-named profiles make rollback and scope control easier.
- Document conflicts and precedence. Windows devices in transition may still receive settings from Group Policy, Configuration Manager, OEM utilities, or security products outside Intune.
- Review profiles periodically and remove obsolete settings after platform changes. The best configuration estate is understandable and actively maintained.
Reference
- Create a policy using settings catalog in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune — Shows how to create and manage Settings Catalog policies in Intune.
- Endpoint security in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune — Introduces endpoint security policy types and management in Microsoft Intune.
- Learn about Intune security baselines for Windows devices - Microsoft Intune — Explains Intune security baselines and how to use them to secure Windows devices.