Tutorial / Cram Notes
Before devices can be onboarded, certain prerequisites must be met:
- Licenses: Adequate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint licensing is essential. Users typically need to have one of the following licenses assigned: Windows 10 Enterprise E5, Windows 10 Education A5, Microsoft 365 E5 (M365 E5), Microsoft 365 E5 Security, or Microsoft 365 A5 (M365 A5).
- Supported Operating Systems: Devices should be running a supported OS, such as Windows 10, macOS, or various Linux distributions.
- Network Configuration: Ensure that the network is configured to allow communication with the Defender for Endpoint service URLs.
Onboarding Methods
Onboarding can be performed using various methods depending on your environment’s complexity and the types of devices you have. Here are common methods used:
Group Policy
- Download the onboarding package from the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
- Use the Group Policy Management Editor to create a policy that deploys the package to the targeted devices.
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager
- For current branch versions, use the built-in onboarding wizard to integrate with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- For older versions, deploy a script using Configuration Manager.
Microsoft Intune
- In Intune, navigate to the endpoint security section and select “Microsoft Defender ATP.”
- Create a configuration profile to manage settings for Defender for Endpoint.
PowerShell Script
- Download and run the PowerShell onboarding script available in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
- Execute the script on individual devices or use it as part of a larger automated deployment.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) Tools
- Onboard iOS and Android devices using MDM tools such as Intune.
- Configure profiles or policies that enforce the installation of the Defender for Endpoint app and its connection to the service.
Deployment Examples
For example, deploying to a Windows 10 device via Group Policy involves the following high-level steps:
- Download the appropriate Windows 10 onboarding package from the Defender for Endpoint section of the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
- Open your Group Policy management tool and create a new GPO.
- Edit the GPO to include the onboarding script. This is typically done by adding the script to a startup/shutdown script directive in the policy.
- Link the GPO to your target organizational unit (OU) that contains your Windows 10 devices.
- Force the group policy update or wait for the GPO to apply during the normal refresh cycle.
Validation and Troubleshooting
After onboarding devices, validate that they are reporting to the Defender for Endpoint portal:
- For Windows Devices: Use the
Get-MpComputerStatuscmdlet in PowerShell to check the connection status. - For macOS and Linux: Use their respective commands to verify that the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint agent is running and communicating with the service.
In case of issues:
- Networking: Ensure there are no network connectivity issues preventing communication with the Defender for Endpoint service endpoints.
- Configuration: Double-check if the onboarding configuration profiles and scripts have been applied correctly.
- Permissions: Ensure that the user accounts and devices have the proper permissions for onboarding.
Post-Onboarding Configuration
Once devices have been onboarded, configure security features such as:
- Antivirus settings
- Attack surface reduction rules
- Endpoint detection and response settings
- Advanced features like Automated Investigation and Remediation
Remember that proper configuration and continuous management of the onboarded devices are vital to maximizing the effectiveness of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Post-onboarding, regular reviews of security policies, and compliance checks should be conducted to ensure ongoing protection.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: You can onboard both Windows and non-Windows devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms like iOS and Android.
To onboard a device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, you must have administrative privileges on that device.
Answer: True
Explanation: Administrative privileges are necessary to install and configure the Defender for Endpoint agent on devices.
Which of the following methods can be used to onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint? (Select all that apply)
- A) Group Policy
- B) PowerShell scripts
- C) Microsoft Intune
- D) Writing a manual request to Microsoft Support
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Onboarding of devices can be automated through Group Policy, PowerShell scripts, or mobile device management tools like Microsoft Intune. Manual requests to Microsoft Support are not a standard onboarding method.
True or False: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint requires an internet connection to onboard devices.
Answer: True
Explanation: To onboard devices, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint needs to communicate with the cloud service, which requires an internet connection.
Which version of Windows supports automatic onboarding to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- A) Windows 7
- B) Windows 1
- C) Windows 10
- D) All of the above
Answer: C
Explanation: Windows 10, and more recently Windows 11, have capabilities for automatic onboarding to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
True or False: Only physical devices can be onboarded to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, but not virtual machines.
Answer: False
Explanation: Both physical devices and virtual machines can be onboarded to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Microsoft Intune can be used as a method for onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based device management service, can onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint as part of its security management capabilities.
Can macOS devices be onboarded to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint using the same method as Windows devices?
Answer: False
Explanation: The method for onboarding macOS devices differs compared to Windows because of differences in the operating systems and their management tools.
What is the primary role required to manage onboarding for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in the Microsoft 365 security center?
- A) Security reader
- B) Security administrator
- C) Global administrator
- D) Compliance administrator
Answer: B
Explanation: The security administrator role is typically required to manage onboarding and other security tasks within the Microsoft 365 security center.
True or False: It is necessary to uninstall any other antivirus software before onboarding a device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can work alongside other antivirus solutions, it is generally recommended to allow it to run without competing AV software to ensure optimal performance and conflict avoidance.
After onboarding a device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, you must reboot the device immediately for the changes to take effect.
Answer: False
Explanation: It is not always necessary to reboot the device immediately after onboarding; however, a restart might be required to complete the installation or update processes in certain scenarios.
Does onboarding a device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint automatically enroll the device into Microsoft Intune?
- A) Yes, it is automatic.
- B) No, separate enrollment is required.
- C) Enrollment happens only for Windows 10 devices.
- D) Enrollment is optional and can be configured post-onboarding.
Answer: B
Explanation: Onboarding a device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint does not automatically enroll the device in Microsoft Intune. Separate enrollment processes are required for device management through Intune.
Interview Questions
What is onboarding in the context of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Onboarding is the process of connecting a device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to allow it to send security telemetry data to the service.
What are the different ways to onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
The different ways to onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint include Endpoint Configuration Manager, Intune, group policy, and the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint device management portal.
What should you check before onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Before onboarding devices, you should ensure that they are compatible with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and that your organization has the appropriate licensing.
What is the first step in onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
The first step is to ensure device compatibility with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
What is the second step in onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
The second step is to verify that your organization has the appropriate licensing for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
What is the third step in onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
The third step is to create a security group in Active Directory that will contain the devices you want to onboard.
What is the fourth step in onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
The fourth step is to configure Microsoft Defender for Endpoint with the appropriate settings for your organization.
What is the fifth step in onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
The fifth step is to onboard devices to Defender for Endpoint using one of the methods described in the article.
What are some best practices to follow when onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Best practices include using a phased approach, following a consistent onboarding process, monitoring progress, testing and validating the process, and updating the configuration as needed.
What is the purpose of onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Onboarding devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is important for monitoring and protecting devices from cyber threats.
Great post, really helped me understand how to onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Thanks for the informative blog. This will definitely help with my MS-101 exam preparation.
Can anyone highlight the differences between onboarding devices via group policy and using configuration manager?
Has anyone faced issues with onboarding devices that are already part of a hybrid environment?
What is the best practice for managing offboarded devices? Should they be removed from the portal immediately?
Any tips for troubleshooting onboarding issues?
How important is it to keep the Defender for Endpoint agent up to date?
Is there a way to automate the onboarding process to save time?