S6E7 - Microsoft updates February - new products and features released
Mar 14, 2025
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Discover the latest innovations from Microsoft as key features in Entra, Intune, and Defender take center stage. Learn about enhancements in Microsoft Defender XDR, including new reporting options and advanced security functions. Dive into Intune's updates with Windows AI configurations and crucial data privacy measures. Explore exciting Azure updates like a free offer for SQL databases and transitions to Visual Studio Code. Plus, find out about the latest security improvements and compliance updates in the ever-evolving Microsoft landscape.
47:46
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Quick takeaways
Microsoft Defender now allows IP address exclusions for automated threat responses, enhancing organizational control over security environments.
Microsoft Intune has introduced AI data analysis settings that improve privacy by enabling IT administrators to control data capturing for specific applications.
Deep dives
Key Updates in Microsoft Defender
Significant enhancements in Microsoft Defender include the introduction of IP address exclusions for automated attack disruption features. This allows organizations to protect critical assets by specifying IP addresses they wish to exclude from automatic threat responses, offering greater control over their security environment. Additionally, new features have been added to support advanced hunting and the privileged role visibility in Microsoft Entra, enabling security professionals to better identify potential risks associated with user roles. The updates also encompass aggregated reporting capabilities and improved incident response functionalities across various Defender products.
Enhancements in Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune has introduced new settings related to AI data analysis, providing organizations with the ability to control which applications can be captured in their data recalls. This enhancement addresses privacy concerns by allowing IT administrators to specify applications that should not have their data analyzed. Furthermore, a lower privileged account can now be utilized for updating Active Directory, increasing overall security while managing device authentication. These updates reflect a growing focus on securing user data while maintaining compliance with organizational policies.
Advancements in Microsoft Azure Services
Azure services have gained notable improvements, particularly with Azure DNS now supporting DNSSEC for cryptographic authentication, enhancing data privacy in DNS queries. The introduction of a free tier for Azure SQL databases allows users to provision up to ten databases at no cost, catering to learning and development purposes. Moreover, new features in Azure Database for MySQL allow pre-production testing of newer versions before their official application in production environments, significantly easing preparation for potential compatibility issues. This range of updates illustrates Azure's ongoing commitment to improving security and user experience across its platform.
Innovations in Microsoft Purview
Recent updates in Microsoft Purview focus on data security and management, enhancing risk detection capabilities and introducing new data connectors for tracking SMS and MMS data. These improvements aim to bolster the ability of organizations to manage sensitive data seamlessly, particularly with dynamic watermark capabilities that help audit document sharing in meetings. A notable feature includes the automation of meeting labels for sensitive files shared during Microsoft Teams calls, further enhancing data classification and compliance efforts. As organizations navigate the complexities of data governance, these tools offer crucial support in managing sensitive information securely.
This week, Alan and Sam talk about new features and services that have gone into Public Preview or General Available status in the last month. We dive into a couple of these updates that peaked our interest.
Some of the Microsoft product features and update we covered:
Key Microsoft Entra, Intune and Defender features and updates
Lots of Azure changes and new features
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