Microsoft 365 only works well and securely when devices are managed, standardised, monitored, and kept compliant. Most SME's aren't even close.
Staff using unmanaged laptops/devices.
Old machines configured differently from new ones.
No consistent rules for security or updates.
Random antivirus tools for security or updates.
Random antivirus tools installed over the years.
Support teams constantly firefighting the same recurring issues.
This isn't just inefficient - it's a security baseline failure.A Cyber Essentials-aligned environment starts at the device level. If devices drift, everything else does too.
When devices aren't standardised or centrally controlled, SMEs tend to experience the same failures:
Unmanaged devices = unmanaged risk
One laptop outside your management system can become a direct path into your Microsoft 365 data.
It also puts Cyber Essentials alignment out of reach.
Slow onboarding for new starters
New employees wait days to be functional.
Logins don't work. Apps missing. Email broken.
IT scrambles to "set things up manually".
Ineffective offboarding
Leavers retain access for longer than they should.
Shared accounts linger.
Devices sit unencrypted.
No compliance trail.
Repeated support tickets
When builds vary, IT support becomes firefighting - the same issue behaves differently on different machines.
This inflates ticket volumes and slows down your entire business.
No visibility or control for leadership
Owner-managers often discover gaps only when something goes wrong - a breach, a lost laptop, or an insurance audit.
A lack of standardised device management built into your operating model.
1
Every device is enrolled into Intune
No exceptions.
No unmanaged machines left drifting in the background.
Security policies are enforced.
Updates apply automatically.
Devices stay encrypted (Bitlocker/Filevault).
Apps install consistently.
Compliance can be proven to insurers or clients.
2
Baseline security configuration for all devices
Every device receives a standardised configuration aligned with the core domains of Cyber Essentials.
Mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Admin account separation.
Encryption enabled.
Patch enforcement.
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) via SentinelOne.
3
Consistent app deployment
Applications install the same way every time, with no variations in version or configuration.
This reduces support noise and prevents "the app works on my machine but not theirs" scenarios.
4
Zero-touch provisioning with Autopilot
New or replacement hardware for existing staff and new joiners that configures itself when they sign in.
Baseline security applied.
Apps installed.
Policies enforced.
Settings synced.
Compliance verified.
A new employee becomes productive the same day - not days later. No "shadow" devices. We maintain a complete, accurate inventory - a critical requirement for Cyber Essentials and modern security frameworks.
This means:
Fewer repeat issues.
Tickets resolved faster.
Less end-user frustration.
Less business downtime.
No "We can't support that device, it wasn't managed properly" conversations.
Support becomes predictable and efficient instead of reactive and chaotic.
For SMEs, this level of discipline is often the difference between "We hope we're secure" and "We know where we stand".
The process is straightforward:
Step 1
Assess your current posture
Through the Security Triage Call and, if appropriate, the Security Baseline Review.
Step 2
Build your standardised environment
Intune Enrolment, Autopilot setup, baseline security, compliance rules, app catalog, monitoring.
Step 3
Stabilise operations
Apply policies, remove unmanaged devices, unify patching, enforce encryption.
Step 4
Automate the lifecycle
Joiner and leaver workflows, app assignments, compliance reporting.
Step 5
Maintain alignment long-term
Continuous monitoring, remediation and enforcement - built into the all-inclusive managed service.
