JourneyTEAM developers discuss the latest updates coming to Microsoft Cloud, Office 365, Exchange Online, Azure AD, and Intune in the February 2022 Tech Insider Update.
JourneyTEAM developers recently met to discuss the updates happening as part of Microsoft’s Wave One release beginning April 2022 and ending September 2022. Attendees got a first-hand look into new features coming to Microsoft Cloud, Office 365, Exchange, Azure AD, and Intune as well as which features will no longer be supported after the release.
For more information on new features, view the Tech Insider Update video here. A summary of the latest updates can be found below.
Cloud and Office 365
Changes to License-Based Services in Partner Center
Microsoft users with a month-to-month subscription for Partner Center will see a 20% price increase around their subscription. The increase is currently in place for all new customers committing after March 1, 2022. Older customers will see the higher cost at their next renewal date. Users looking to save money should consider moving to an annual subscription.
Cloud Site List Management
Microsoft support for Internet Explorer will end on June 15, 2022. Users looking to avoid any disruption to processes should store current and new site lists in the cloud rather than on-prem devices.
Named Entities
The Wave One release will allow IT personnel and business executives to strengthen the security of sensitive or confidential business information. Sensitive information types (SIT) such as person names, addresses, medical information, and more will remain protected using named entity detection. Additionally, admins can determine if entities are available in ‘content explorer’ or in DLP authoring flow.
Microsoft has also added 52 new SIT policies of named entities and 10 new data loss prevention policies.
Microsoft Priority Accounts
To help protect high-priority information or sensitive data, Microsoft allows admins to tag users as priority accounts. These accounts are given extra protection within Microsoft Defender (previously known as Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection), and each is tagged in logs for easy filtering.
Additionally, the update will feature mail flow monitoring. The feature will ensure a healthy mail flow and automatically alert users to potential mail delays or security risks.
Azure Updates
As a reminder to all Microsoft users, Azure Graph will no longer be supported starting June 30, 2022. To avoid potential delays or lost data, users should migrate information to Microsoft Graph as soon as possible. Teams who need support in moving data should contact a JourneyTEAM representative.
The following are new features coming to Azure in the coming months:
Number Matching
To help increase security within Azure, Microsoft added number matching that prompts users to match a number on screen upon signing in. This ensures only authorized users are entering the system.
Additional Login Prompts in ADFS
Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) is one of Microsoft’s single sign-on solutions. The tool allows admins to maintain control over employees’ accounts while simplifying and streamlining the user experience. As part of the Wave One release, ADFS users will need to complete additional login prompts when certain parameters are met.
Conditional Access Update
In the near future, Azure will undergo a conditional access update that can disrupt business processes and limit user access. In order to fully understand and prepare for the impact of this update, contact a JourneyTEAM representative as soon as possible. We’ll help you understand which of your devices and processes will be affected and what to do about it.
Cross-Tenant Access
To improve collaboration among Azure users, Microsoft is adding cross-tenant access for Azure AD tenants. Admins will enjoy greater control and granularity as they can control inbound and outbound traffic and can even narrow the scope to a group or single user.
Exchange Online Updates
Users looking to prepare for the Exchange Wave One Release will need to migrate off of any legacy systems or protocols as basic authentication ends on October 1, 2022. This can significantly impact client communication and other company devices and admins should contact JourneyTEAM to understand how this will affect your processes.
In addition to the end of basic authentication, the classic version of the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) is ending in September 2022. Over the coming months, many features of the EAC will become non-functional and users will need to migrate to the new version as soon as possible. Users will be able to navigate between the classic version and the new one until September 2022.
Finally, the Exchange Transport Rule Reports will be moving from Exchange’s Security Compliance Center to the new EAC.
Microsoft Intune Updates
Support Only Android 8.0 and Later
As of January 7, 2022, mobile device management (MDM) devices with Android 7.0 or earlier will no longer be supported or receive updates from Microsoft Intune. Users must update to Android 8.0 or later or replace old devices with ones that currently run Android 8.0.
Launch Remote Help in Admin Center
Remote help allows IT personnel to provide assistance via a remote connection. During the session, IT staff can take full control of the affected device and resolve issues as needed. The feature is currently free in public preview mode but will have a cost when it becomes generally available in April 2022.
Easier Troubleshooting on Errors
The Intune Admin Center will be equipped with a new policy titled ‘X policies with error or conflict’. The policy will automatically take users to an assignment failure report where they can view specific compliance or configuration errors which allows for faster error resolution. The action will be available on the homepage or the Intune dashboard.
Prepare for the Microsoft Wave One Release with JourneyTEAM
Hundreds of new features are coming to Microsoft tools and solutions, each one designed to streamline processes, enhance security, and simplify communication. To ensure your business teams are fully prepared for these new changes and ready to take full advantage of new tools, contact JourneyTEAM.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we’re intimately familiar with all of Microsoft’s product offerings and ensure they work for your unique business environment. Contact us today to get started.