Microsoft Intune administrators are currently grappling with a significant issue: custom security baseline policy configurations are being lost during version updates, potentially exposing enterprise environments to security vulnerabilities. This problem was officially acknowledged by Microsoft’s Intune Support Team on July 1, 2025, and affects organizations that have implemented security settings deviating from Microsoft’s default recommendations.
Understanding the Issue
Security baselines in Microsoft Intune are predefined sets of security configurations designed to help organizations maintain a consistent and secure environment across their devices. These baselines encompass various settings, including registry modifications, security protocols, and compliance requirements, which can be customized to meet specific organizational needs.
The core of the problem lies in the update process of these security baselines. When administrators upgrade from one baseline version to another—such as moving from version 23H2 to 24H2—any custom configurations made to the previous version do not persist. Instead, the settings revert to Microsoft’s default values, effectively erasing tailored security measures. This issue is particularly concerning for organizations that have invested significant time and resources in customizing their security policies to align with unique business requirements or regulatory standards.
Implications for Organizations
The loss of custom security settings during baseline updates can have several adverse effects:
1. Security Vulnerabilities: Reverting to default settings may inadvertently introduce security gaps, as the default configurations might not address all the specific threats pertinent to an organization.
2. Compliance Risks: Many industries are subject to stringent regulatory requirements. Custom security configurations are often implemented to ensure compliance with these standards. Losing these settings could result in non-compliance, leading to potential legal and financial repercussions.
3. Operational Disruptions: The need to manually reapply custom settings after each update imposes an additional administrative burden on IT teams, diverting resources from other critical tasks and potentially leading to configuration errors.
Microsoft’s Response and Recommendations
In response to this issue, Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is actively working on a permanent solution. In the interim, the Intune Support Team recommends the following steps:
1. Document Custom Configurations: Before initiating a baseline update, administrators should thoroughly document all custom security settings. This documentation will serve as a reference for reapplying configurations post-update.
2. Manual Reapplication of Settings: After completing the baseline update, administrators must manually reconfigure the custom settings to restore the desired security posture.
3. Consult Official Documentation: Microsoft has provided detailed guidance on updating profiles to the latest version, which includes best practices for managing security configurations during transitions.
Administrators are encouraged to stay informed about developments related to this issue by following updates from the Intune Support Team. For additional assistance, they can engage with Microsoft support through official channels or contact @IntuneSuppTeam on X (formerly Twitter).
Best Practices for Managing Security Baselines
To mitigate the impact of this issue and enhance the management of security baselines, organizations should consider the following best practices:
1. Implement Version Control: Maintain a version-controlled repository of all security configurations. This practice ensures that previous settings can be quickly restored if needed.
2. Regular Audits: Conduct periodic audits of security settings to verify that configurations align with organizational policies and compliance requirements.
3. Test Environments: Before deploying baseline updates in a production environment, test them in a controlled setting to identify potential issues and ensure that custom configurations can be reapplied successfully.
4. Automated Scripting: Develop scripts to automate the reapplication of custom settings post-update. Automation can reduce the likelihood of human error and streamline the update process.
5. Stay Informed: Regularly monitor communications from Microsoft regarding Intune updates and known issues. Staying informed enables proactive management of potential problems.
Conclusion
The current challenge with Microsoft Intune’s security baseline policy updates underscores the importance of meticulous configuration management and proactive communication between organizations and service providers. While Microsoft is working towards a permanent fix, administrators must adopt interim measures to safeguard their custom security settings. By documenting configurations, manually reapplying settings post-update, and adhering to best practices, organizations can maintain a robust security posture and ensure compliance with industry standards.
