Knowledge base

November 19, 2024

Protect your Corporate Data with Intune App Protection Policies (APP)

Protecting corporate data is essential, especially as mobile devices are increasingly used for business purposes. Microsoft Intune offers a powerful solution with App Protection Policies (APP). But what exactly does this entail, and how can your organization benefit? 📱🔐

What are Intune App Protection Policies (APP)?

Intune APP are rules that ensure corporate data remains secure within a managed app. It’s a way to control how data is accessed, used and shared on mobile devices without having to manage the device itself. This keeps corporate information protected even when employees use their own devices for work-related tasks¹. A few examples of these rules:

  • Manage access: Users must use a PIN or fingerprint to access business emails.
  • Preventing data loss: Copying and pasting of corporate data to personal apps is blocked.
  • Access control: Only approved apps get access to corporate data.

💡 A managed app is an application that has Intune App Protection Policies, allowing the app to be managed securely.

Benefits of Intune App Protection Policies.

Why should you implement APP in your organization? Here are the main benefits:

  • Data protection without device management: You do not need to register the entire mobile device in Intune; the protection is applied only to the apps with corporate data.
  • Advanced control: Control exactly how company data is shared, for example, by placing restrictions on copying and pasting data.
  • Efficient management: Apps such as Microsoft 365 (Office) can be easily secured and managed, supporting employee productivity without sacrificing security. 📊

Examples of APP in action

What does this look like in practice? Here are some scenarios where Intune App Protection Policies make a difference:

  • Secure access to email: A user must use a PIN or fingerprint to access business emails.
  • Data masking: copying and pasting of corporate information to an unapproved app is automatically prevented. 🛡️
  • Managed browsers for added security: All web links from managed apps open in Microsoft Edge, for example, which is managed and secured by Intune.

Additional Security with Microsoft Edge

IT administrators can easily set policies for Microsoft Edge, an Intune-compatible browser. By opening all web links of managed apps through Edge, data remains extra protected. This ensures a secure Internet experience, even when using mobile devices.

FAQ: Protecting corporate data with Intune App Protection Policies 📱🔒

What is Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps organizations manage mobile devices and applications. With it, you can ensure that corporate data remains secure even when employees use their own devices².

 

What are Intune App Protection Policies?

App Protection Policies are rules you can set to protect corporate data within specific applications. They help prevent unauthorized access and ensure that sensitive data is not accidentally shared¹.

 

Why should I use Intune App Protection Policies?

  • Business data protection: Prevent sensitive information from leaking to personal apps or locations.
  • Flexibility: Security without full device management, ideal for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).
  • Easy implementation: Policies can be set and applied remotely.

 

How does the Intune app work?

The Intune app acts as a portal through which employees can access secure corporate applications and data. It ensures compliance with security policies and helps detect non-compliant devices.

 

What are managed apps in Intune?

Managed apps are applications that Intune protects with security rules. Examples include Microsoft Outlook, Teams and OneDrive. These apps are automatically protected according to the policies set.

 

Is the Intune business portal necessary?

Yes, the enterprise portal is required for users to access secure enterprise apps and meet Intune App Protection Policies requirements.

 

What are examples of App Protection Policies?

  • Copy/paste prevention: Limit data sharing between business apps and personal apps.
  • Password requirements: Set a password or PIN for accessing certain apps.
  • Data encryption: Ensure corporate data is stored encrypted within applications.

 

What is the difference between App Protection Policies and device management?

App Protection Policies focus on securing apps and data, while device management provides control over the entire device. Policies are ideal for BYOD scenarios, while device management is appropriate for proprietary devices.

 

 

Conclusion

At ALTA-ICT, we understand the importance of keeping corporate data secure in the modern, mobile work environment. That’s why we roll out the Intune baseline that is fully tailored to our customers’ needs and requirements. Whether you need basic security or comprehensive policies, we provide a seamless and secure experience. 🔍 Want to know more about our approach? Check out our 👉 Modern Workplace page³ to learn more about how we can support your organization with the right security solutions! We look forward to hearing from you! 💬

 

¹https://learn.microsoft.com/mem/intune/apps/app-protection-policy ²https://learn.microsoft.com/mem/intune/fundamentals/what-is-intune ³https://alta-ict.nl/ModerneWerk

 

About the author

My name is Alta Martes, a specialist in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, with a focus on modern workplace management, cloud security and identity & access management. With years of experience, I help organizations optimize their IT infrastructure and create a secure, efficient digital workplace. 🎯 Need help with your Microsoft 365 strategy?
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