Secure Your Devices with Defender for Endpoint - Part 1

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the essential steps to secure your devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. In this first part of a series, we will cover licensing, configuration via Microsoft Intune, and the creation of vital security policies such as antivirus, firewall settings, and attack surface reduction. By following these steps, you will enhance your device security effectively.

Step 1: Understand Licensing

• Familiarize yourself with the different licensing options for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
• Determine the features available under each license type to choose the best fit for your organization.
• Ensure that you have the correct licenses to access all necessary functionalities.

Step 2: Explore Feature Differences

• Review the key feature differences between the various Defender for Endpoint plans.
• Identify which features are essential for your organization’s security needs.
• Make a list of features you wish to implement based on your licensing choice.

Step 3: Connect Intune to Defender

• Access the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.
• Navigate to the Intune section to initiate the connection with Defender for Endpoint.
• Ensure that you configure the integration settings to allow seamless communication between Intune and Defender.

Step 4: Create an EDR Policy

• Start by defining your Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) policies.
• Use the following steps:
  • Go to the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
  • Select “Settings” and then “Endpoints.”
  • Create a new EDR policy tailored to your organization’s needs.

Step 5: Prepare Your Environment

• Conduct necessary preparatory work before applying policies.
• Ensure that all devices are registered within your Intune environment.
• Confirm that your devices meet the minimum requirements for Defender for Endpoint.

Step 6: Create an Entra ID Device Group

• In the Azure portal, create a new device group for managing devices.
• Follow these steps:
  • Navigate to Azure Active Directory.
  • Select “Groups,” then “New Group.”
  • Choose “Security” as the group type and assign relevant devices.

Step 7: Set Admin Permissions

• Verify that you have the right administrative permissions to configure security settings.
• Assign appropriate roles to team members who will manage Defender for Endpoint.

Step 8: Configure Email Alerts

• Set up email notifications for security alerts.
• Navigate to the alert settings in the Defender for Endpoint portal and configure the email addresses for notifications.
• Specify the types of alerts you wish to receive.

Step 9: Configure Next Gen Antivirus

• Create a Next Gen Antivirus policy within Intune.
• Steps include:
  • In the Intune portal, go to “Endpoint security.”
  • Select “Antivirus,” then “Create policy.”
  • Choose the appropriate settings for your organization’s security requirements.

Step 10: Create a Windows Firewall Policy

• Set up a firewall policy to manage inbound and outbound traffic.
• Follow these steps:
  • In the Intune portal, navigate to “Endpoint security.”
  • Select “Firewall,” then “Create policy.”
  • Configure the rules according to your security standards.

Step 11: Implement Attack Surface Reduction Rules

• Define and configure Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules to minimize potential attack vectors.
• Access the ASR settings in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager and create a new policy.
• Specify the rules that align with your security strategy.

Step 12: Configure ASR Policy

• Once ASR rules are established, create an ASR policy in Intune.
• Ensure that the policy is applied to the relevant device groups for effective protection.

Step 13: Enable Tamper Protection

• Activate tamper protection to safeguard your security settings.
• In the Defender portal, locate the tamper protection settings and enable it.
• Confirm that tamper protection is functioning correctly across all devices.

Step 14: Troubleshooting Mode

• Familiarize yourself with the troubleshooting mode for Defender for Endpoint.
• Understand how to enable and disable this mode to resolve issues without compromising security.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will have successfully configured Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to enhance your device security. Ensure that you regularly review and update your policies to adapt to evolving threats. In the next part of this series, we will continue exploring advanced features and best practices for maintaining robust security.