Imagine a business with no centralized IT infrastructure—local user accounts on every device, no unified security policies, and even a locked-out laptop due to a fired employee withholding the PIN. This was the state of one of our recent clients. Luckily, they had existing Microsoft Intune licenses, they just weren’t using them. That’s where we came in.
The Challenge: A Fragmented IT Environment
Our client’s IT environment was disorganized and vulnerable:
- No centralized management: Every laptop operated independently, with local user accounts and no oversight.
- Security risks: Devices lacked encryption, compliance policies, and remote management capabilities.
- Data access issues: A terminated employee left behind a locked laptop with no way to recover the data.
- Compliance gaps: In an industry with strict compliance standards, they needed to meet stringent GCC High standards for data security and compliance but had no expertise to do so.
This lack of IT infrastructure not only exposed them to significant operational risks but also made scaling their business nearly impossible because of the lack of compliance.
The Solution: Centralizing IT with Microsoft Intune
We leveraged their existing Microsoft Intune licenses to transform their IT environment into a secure, centralized system. Here’s how:
- Unified Endpoint Management:
- We enrolled all devices into Microsoft Intune, enabling centralized management across their fleet of laptops.
- Device compliance rules were established, including encryption policies (BitLocker) and password complexity requirements.
- Seamless User Management:
- Migrated users from local accounts to Azure Active Directory (AAD), ensuring secure identity management, without data loss.
- Implemented Single Sign-On (SSO) for Microsoft 365 apps, improving productivity while maintaining security.
- Data Security and Recovery:
- Configured remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices.
- Set up conditional access policies to restrict access based on device compliance and location.
- Compliance Alignment:
- Enabled features specific to GCC High, such as data residency in U.S.-based Azure Government data centers and compliance with FedRAMP High standards.
- Implemented system-use notifications to meet CMMC practices like AC.2.005, ensuring users acknowledge security policies during login.
- Operational Efficiency:
- Automated device setup using Intune configuration profiles, reducing manual IT intervention during onboarding.
- Deployed essential applications remotely, ensuring employees had the tools they needed without delays.
The Results: A Secure and Scalable IT Ecosystem
The transformation was dramatic:
- Centralized Management: All devices are now managed from a single console, providing complete visibility and control.
- Enhanced Security: Encryption and conditional access policies protect sensitive data while meeting GCC High compliance requirements.
- Improved Productivity: Employees can securely access resources from anywhere, while IT can manage devices remotely.
- Cost Savings: Leveraging existing Intune licenses eliminated the need for additional software or hardware investments.
Why This Matters for Your Business
This case highlights how even organizations starting from zero can achieve robust IT infrastructure with the right tools and expertise. For businesses operating in highly regulated industries like DoD contracting, solutions like Microsoft Intune in GCC High offer unparalleled security and compliance benefits.