Microsoft Intune Compliance Policy can be used to manage the security and compliance of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Session Host virtual machines. The policy can enforce specific configuration settings such as password complexity, security updates, and device encryption to ensure that the virtual machines meet the organization’s security and compliance requirements.
To set up an Intune Compliance Policy for an AVD Session Host virtual machine, the virtual machine must be enrolled with Intune. Then, the policy can be created in the Intune portal and assigned to the virtual machine. The policy settings will be enforced on the virtual machine and monitored for compliance.
Note: The Intune Compliance Policy is just one of the ways to manage the security and compliance of AVD Session Host virtual machines. Other tools such as Azure Security Center and Azure Policy can also be used.
Why create the azure virtual desktop session host compliance policy?
There are several reasons why organizations create Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Session Host Compliance Policies:
- Security: Compliance policies help ensure that the AVD Session Host virtual machines are configured with the necessary security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. This includes enforcing encryption, password policies, and software updates.
- Compliance: Compliance policies help organizations meet regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, PCI, and SOC, by ensuring that the AVD Session Host virtual machines are configured in accordance with these regulations.
- Consistency: Compliance policies help ensure that all AVD Session Host virtual machines are configured consistently and meet the same standards. This makes it easier for administrators to manage the environment and ensures that all users have a consistent and secure experience.
- Monitoring: Compliance policies provide ongoing monitoring of the AVD Session Host virtual machines, so administrators can quickly identify and address any deviations from the desired configuration.
By creating an AVD Session Host Compliance Policy, organizations can ensure that their virtual machines are secure, compliant, consistent, and properly monitored, which can help reduce the risk of security breaches and regulatory violations.
What compliance policies are supported with Azure Virtual Desktop?
The following compliance policies are supported on Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session VMs:
- Minimum OS version
- Maximum OS version
- Valid operating system builds
- Simple passwords
- Password type
- Minimum password length
- Password Complexity
- Password expiration (days)
- Number of previous passwords to prevent reuse
- Microsoft Defender Antimalware
- Microsoft Defender Antimalware security intelligence up-to-date
- Firewall
- Antivirus
- Antispyware
- Real-time protection
- Microsoft Defender Antimalware minimum version
- Defender ATP Risk score
Note in my sceanrio I am not using all of the above only a few based on the configuration of my environment. You will need a Azure AD device group containing all the session host for AVD to apply this policy.
What am I configuring?
I am only configuring two things. However, I urge if you to leverage Microsoft Defender and make sure you use the Antivirus and Antimalware settings (Another blog post later day for Defender integrations):
- Minimum OS version – 10.0.22621.963
- Firewall – Require
The above is not an extensive list, but I am trying to give you an idea here.
Create the compliance policy for AVD
Open the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center and navigate to Devices and Compliance Policies.
- Click on Create Policy and Select Platform Windows 10 and later
- Give the policy a name and description
- Configure the above two parameters
- An assignment is the most critical aspect, here, you want an Azure AD Dynamic Device Group that will make sure all the AVD Session hosts are covered.
- My current AAD Dynamic Group query is as follows, I am working towards getting a more refine query to make it understand Multi-session(I have raised a query internally within MS)
Device Compliance (AVD Session Host VMs)
After waiting for 15 mins you will start noticing all your AVD Session host VM’s will now begin to show as compliant.
I hope you will find this helpful information for creating a compliance policy for your AVD Session host VMs. Please let me know if I have missed any steps or details, and I will be happy to update the post.
Thanks,
Aresh Sarkari