How to Enforce Device Compliance in Microsoft 365 Using Intune and Conditional Access

Device management and compliance are top priorities for organisations migrating to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. With more employees working remotely and using a wide array of devices, ensuring that only compliant devices access corporate resources is critical to maintaining a secure environment. That's where Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory Conditional Access come in.

If you're wondering how to enforce device compliance in Microsoft 365, you've landed in the right place. This blog will walk you through what device compliance means, how Microsoft Intune helps achieve it, and how Conditional Access ensures only trusted, secure devices can access your Microsoft 365 services.

What is Device Compliance in Microsoft 365?

Device compliance refers to enforcing specific policies that endpoints must meet before gaining access to your organization’s resources. These policies often involve:

• Device encryption

• Operating system version control

• Antivirus and antimalware status

• Password and lock screen policies

• Jailbreak or rooting detection

When a device is marked as compliant, it means it adheres to the requirements defined in your compliance policies. If non-compliant, access to resources like Exchange Online, SharePoint, or Teams can be blocked using Conditional Access.

Why You Need Device Compliance in Microsoft 365

Security threats continue to evolve, and traditional perimeter-based security strategies are no longer sufficient. Here are key benefits of enforcing device compliance with Microsoft Intune in Microsoft 365:

• Only trusted devices can access corporate data

• Granular access control with Conditional Access

• Automated security enforcement without user disruption

• Compliance with regulatory frameworks like ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST

How To Enforce Device Compliance in Microsoft 365

Step 1: Set Up Microsoft Intune

Before creating compliance policies, ensure Microsoft Intune is properly configured within your Microsoft 365 tenant:

1. Sign in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.

2. Under Tenant Administration, select Connectors and Tokens to verify active connections.

3. Enroll devices using Company Portal from the respective app store (Windows, iOS, or Android).

Step 2: Create Compliance Policies in Intune

Now, define what "compliant" means for your organisation by creating device compliance policies:

1. In the Intune admin center, go to Devices > Compliance policies.

2. Click on Create Policy and select the appropriate platform (Windows, iOS, macOS, Android).

3. Configure rules such as requiring a PIN, encryption, up-to-date OS version, etc.

4. Assign the policy to user groups or device groups.

Example: For Windows 10 policies, you can require BitLocker to be enabled and ensure Defender AV is active and up to date.

Step 3: Configure Conditional Access in Azure AD

Once compliance policies are in place, it’s time to enforce them using Conditional Access. These policies evaluate if a device is compliant before granting access to Microsoft 365 resources.

1. Navigate to Azure Active Directory > Security > Conditional Access.

2. Click New policy to start creating a policy.

3. Specify user or group scope (e.g., All Employees).

4. Define the cloud apps the policy applies to (e.g., SharePoint Online, Teams).

5. Under Conditions > Device platforms, select the platforms you want to control.

6. Under Access Controls > Grant, choose Grant access and check Require device to be marked as compliant.

7. Enable the policy and monitor its impact.

Step 4: Test and Monitor Compliance

Before rolling out to the entire organisation, test the compliance and Conditional Access policies with a pilot user or group:

• Ensure devices are properly enrolled and compliant

• Check user access is being granted or blocked as intended

• Use the Sign-in Logs under Azure AD to troubleshoot access issues

• Monitor compliance reports in Intune regularly

Perform an internal security review regularly to make adjustments for newly emerging threats or evolving organisational policies.

Common Use Cases for Enforcing Device Compliance

Here are a few real-world applications of enforcing device compliance policies in Microsoft 365:

• Education: Restrict students to school-issued, policy-compliant laptops

• Legal: Ensure BYOD devices have encryption and password policies

• Healthcare: Meet HIPAA compliance by enforcing device security before accessing patient records

• Finance: Block access to financial apps unless antivirus is up to date

Best Practices for Success

• Create platform-specific policies to suit OS nuances

• Use exclusion groups sparingly for service accounts or risks

• Regularly audit compliance settings as device fleets and threats evolve

• Keep users informed with support documentation and guidance

Final Thoughts

Device compliance is an essential part of modern IT security. With Microsoft Intune and Conditional Access, your organisation can ensure that only secure, well-managed devices connect to corporate data. It reduces risk, improves visibility, and supports regulatory compliance—all while giving IT control and users seamless access.

At Circuit Minds, we specialise in helping organisations leverage Microsoft 365 and implement robust device compliance strategies. Whether you're just starting or need to fine-tune your policies, our experts are ready to assist.

👉 Book a free consultation to learn how Circuit Minds can help you.