Question:

I am new to a help desk role and I have been working with Intune to manage devices. I noticed that the device naming conventions are inconsistent and I want to standardize them using Intune. However, our information security officer warned me that renaming devices could pose a security threat. Is this true, and if so, why? Does it matter if I rename the devices through Intune or directly on the devices? How does renaming affect the device name synchronization between Intune and the devices? How does renaming impact the device security policies in Intune?

Answer:

How renaming devices affects Intune and security

Intune is a cloud-based service that allows you to manage and secure devices in your organization. One of the features of Intune is the ability to rename devices to follow a consistent naming convention. However, before you start renaming devices, you should be aware of the potential implications for Intune and security.

Renaming devices through Intune is the recommended method, as it ensures that the device name is updated in both Intune and the device itself. To rename a device through Intune, you need to create a device configuration profile with the Rename device setting enabled. You can specify a custom name or use a predefined template with variables such as serial number, user name, or device model. You can then assign the profile to the devices or groups that you want to rename.

When you rename a device through Intune, the device will receive the new name the next time it checks in with Intune. The device will also restart to apply the new name. The device name in Intune will be updated after the device restarts and syncs with Intune again.

Renaming devices through Intune does not pose a security threat, as long as you follow the best practices for device naming conventions. You should avoid using sensitive or personal information in the device name, such as user name, location, or department. You should also use a consistent and descriptive format that helps you identify and manage the devices. For example, you could use a prefix that indicates the device type, such as LAP for laptop or TAB for tablet, followed by a unique identifier, such as serial number or asset tag.

Renaming devices directly on the devices

Renaming devices directly on the devices is not recommended, as it can cause issues with Intune and security. To rename a device directly on the device, you need to have local administrator rights on the device. You can then change the device name in the system properties or the settings app, depending on the device type and operating system.

When you rename a device directly on the device, the device name in Intune will not be updated automatically. You will need to manually sync the device with Intune to update the device name in Intune. However, this may not work if the device name is too long or contains invalid characters. In that case, you will need to rename the device again through Intune or reset the device to its original name.

Renaming devices directly on the devices can pose a security threat, as it can break the trust relationship between the device and Intune. Intune uses the device name as one of the identifiers to authenticate and authorize the device. If the device name does not match the device name in Intune, the device may not be able to enroll or access Intune resources. This can also affect the device security policies that are applied by Intune, such as compliance, configuration, and app protection policies. For example, if the device name does not match the device name in Intune, the device may not be able to receive the latest security updates or comply with the password requirements.

Conclusion

Renaming devices is a useful feature of Intune that can help you manage and secure your devices. However, you should always rename devices through Intune, rather than directly on the devices, to avoid issues with Intune and security. You should also follow the best practices for device naming conventions, such as using a consistent and descriptive format and avoiding sensitive or personal information. By doing so, you can ensure that your devices are properly named, synced, and secured with Intune.