Once upon a time, in the bustling world of IT, device management was a complex puzzle. Admins like Shiva spent countless hours navigating different systems, deciphering error codes, and trying to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of device policies. But then, a new hero emerged: Microsoft Copilot for Intune. This is not just another tool; it is a game-changer, designed to simplify the lives of IT admins and boost their productivity. Let us see how it works for Shiva.

The Case of the Confusing Error

One Monday morning, Shiva received a frantic call. A user's device was throwing an error code, and they could not access crucial applications. Shiva, armed with Copilot, did not panic. Instead, he navigated to the device page within Intune and clicked on "Explore with Copilot". Immediately, a fly-out appeared, offering several helpful options. First, Shiva asked for a device summary.

Copilot, using its ability to synthesize information, quickly pulled data from Intune, including hardware details, compliance status, and group memberships, all in one place. This eliminated the need to click through multiple areas of Intune.

Next, Shiva utilized the error code analyser. He input the error code the user had reported, and Copilot, drawing on Microsoft Docs, explained the issue. It even clarified that the error could be related to either Intune or Microsoft Store apps, and that in this case the application installation succeeded but is no longer detected on the device. Copilot gave Shiva a starting point for further investigation.

Comparing Configurations

Shiva was still puzzled, as other similar devices were working fine. Using the "Compare with another device" feature, he compared the problematic device with a device that was functioning well. Copilot highlighted the differences in configuration profiles, revealing that the problematic device had a unique policy. This comparison, which would have taken at least 29 clicks to figure out manually, was done instantly. With Copilot, Shiva quickly identified the culprit and resolved the issue.

Policy Management Made Easy

Later that week, Shiva had to create new policies for his organization. He noticed a banner at the top of the Intune console which introduced him to Copilot. Copilot can help you gain insights about settings and policies.

First, Shiva used Copilot to summarize an existing policy, revealing key details like settings, values, and assignments. He also found out that he can copy the summarized information for documentation. Copilot even clarified the policy's security impact and what the trade-offs between security and user productivity are.

Shiva could also summarize specific settings within a policy. When he asked if Microsoft recommends a value, Copilot pointed to the Windows security baseline, advising him to block untrusted processes from USB. When Shiva asked if a setting has been configured in any other policies, Copilot checked all the policies and gave him the information.

Finally, when creating a new macOS compliance policy, Shiva used Copilot to understand the "Require System Integrity Protection" setting. Copilot gave him a detailed explanation of the setting.

These capabilities of Copilot are available throughout the Intune console, where you will see the copilot icon next to different settings.

Empowering Security Operations

Copilot is not just for IT admins; it also assists Security Operations Centre (SOC) analysts. They can use Copilot to quickly get information about devices, like the name, enrolment date, and compliance status. In addition, this information is integrated into the Microsoft Defender portal, allowing analysts to view Intune data within their familiar investigation environment. This cross-product integration ensures a seamless workflow for everyone involved in security operations.

You Are the Pilot

As Shiva discovered, Copilot for Intune does not take over; it empowers. It acts as a helpful assistant, simplifying complex tasks and providing critical insights. It allows IT admins to focus on strategic decisions while Copilot manages the mundane.

With Copilot, device management is no longer a daunting task. It is an opportunity to optimize workflows and enhance security, ensuring a more productive and secure environment for everyone.