A Success Story of How Encryption Consulting Implemented PKI with Microsoft Intune and Windows Hello for Business 

Company Overview 

We recently worked with a leading beverage company in the United States. The company has been in the market for over 165 years and is known for its extensive portfolio of over 100 brands. The business operates with over 120 facilities across America and employs over 19,000 people. Since the company has a wide range of network and employs thousands of people, it was crucial for them to secure the line of communication across all of its facilities.

The company’s goal has always been to adopt robust security measures to safeguard the sensitive data of its customers and employees. To maintain the highest security levels, they partnered with us to implement technologies like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Microsoft Intune, and Windows Hello for Business to create a secure environment. In order to maintain exceptional service while maintaining the integrity of the operations, they wanted to adapt to the new security infrastructure seamlessly.  

Challenges 

The company reached out to us wanting a solution that could enhance its security posture and protect sensitive data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including the name, address, email, phone number, or financial information of its employees and clients. They wanted to properly encrypt data in all its states, i.e., during rest, use, transition, and backup.  

Our Security Architect, who worked closely with the client on this project, understood their requirement for streamlined Identity Management using PKI with Microsoft Intune. The client wanted to simplify administrative tasks and centralize the management of user identities and devices. They also aimed to enhance user experience while maintaining security during the authentication process using Windows Hello for Business.  

Since the company had extensive operations and served millions of people worldwide, it was important to ensure its PKI implementation complied with all the regulatory standards followed across the regions it operated. This included regulatory compliance with data protection standards like FIPS, GDPR, and more. The company also wanted to develop a Certificate Policy (CP) and Certification Practice Statement (CPS) Documents. 

Additionally, the business intended to develop a PKI infrastructure that was easily scalable so it could meet the growing requirements of its increasing client base. Their goal was to integrate future-proof solutions that not only tackled their current challenges but were also ready for the more advanced threats of tomorrow. On top of that, they required a secure IT framework that could establish trust in electronic transactions and communications using digital signatures. 

Their goal was to ensure that the whole integration process of Microsoft Intune and Windows Hello within their environment would be smooth and efficient to avoid any operational disruptions.  It was crucial to ensure compatibility between these systems. The keys generated and used in PKI infrastructure were to be stored securely for robust key management.

Solution 

Encryption Consulting worked closely with the client in four phases, ensuring smooth PKI implementation and seamless integration with Windows Hello for Business and Microsoft Intune.  

We started this with the project planning, which included meetings with primary stakeholders and gathering all the relevant information to understand the scope of work. We analyzed and evaluated the customer’s existing environment and defined system requirements, including Hardware, Software, Business, and Technical Requirements. The second phase of this project included developing the CP and CPS Documents.​ We worked with the customer to develop the CP, and the CPS documents draft that also included customer review and knowledge transfer sessions. The third phase of the project was dedicated to PKI Design and Implementation. Based on the customer requirements, we developed the following:  

• PKI trust model design document  

• Production of PKI build document 

• PKI production setup  

• OCSP implementation  

• Integrated use cases such as Windows Hello for Business and Microsoft Intune 

We also designed functional test cases to test our implementation and maintained a continuous review channel with our client.  

The fourth phase of the project was dedicated to developing business continuity plans. We created a document that detailed a comprehensive plan for PKI operations and disaster recovery procedures. We created Root CA, Issuing CA, and OCSP disaster recovery procedures. We also built a PKI operations guide document for PKI Operations and conducted a knowledge transfer and customer review session. 

The new PKI that we built provided a framework for managing digital certificates, ensuring that only trusted entities can communicate and access resources. The PKI enabled data encryption in transit and at rest, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. By integrating with Intune, the organization can now enforce security policies and monitor compliance across all devices. The deployed Microsoft Intune allows centralized management of user identities and devices while simplifying administrative tasks. The PKI can now automate certificate issuance and management, reducing the burden on IT staff. The Windows Hello deployed enhances the user experience while maintaining high security, reducing the likelihood of password-related breaches.

The PKI implementation process included integrating policies and procedures that aligned with regulatory requirements, helping the organization avoid hefty fines and legal issues. The PKI infrastructure was designed to accommodate their future growth, ensuring that all security measures remain effective as the organization expands. Intune’s cloud-based management supports the organization’s growth plans. Digital signatures generated by PKI ensure the integrity and authenticity of documents and communications, fostering trust among stakeholders. 

Impact

Setting up a PKI that seamlessly integrates with both Microsoft Intune and Windows Hello for Business positively impacted the organization by enhancing security and efficiency. We established a robust PKI framework that, combined with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and the biometric capabilities of Windows Hello, ensures that only authorized users and devices can access sensitive resources. This strong authentication significantly reduced the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. This allowed the organization to create a more secure environment for its digital assets, thus protecting sensitive information and maintaining customer trust. 

In addition to strengthening security, integrating PKI with Microsoft Intune streamlined identity and device management processes. Intune’s centralized management capabilities allowed IT administrators to efficiently oversee user identities, enforce security policies, and monitor compliance across all devices. Automating certificate issuance and renewal reduced administrative overhead, minimized the risk of human error, and freed up IT resources to allow them to focus on more strategic initiatives. The seamless user experience provided by Windows Hello for Business also enhanced employee productivity, as users can now authenticate quickly and securely without the need for complex passwords. 

Furthermore, the project allowed our client to meet regulatory compliance requirements more effectively. With the increasing need for data protection and privacy regulations, a well-implemented PKI system allowed the organization to show its commitment to safeguarding sensitive information. The ability to enforce compliance policies through Intune ensured that all devices adhere to security standards, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. Overall, the successful implementation of this project enhanced security and operational efficiency and contributed to the organization’s long-term strategic goals by establishing trust and reliability in its digital operations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing a PKI integrated with Microsoft Intune and Windows Hello for Business was a positive step for our client in enhancing its security framework and operational efficiency. The meticulously structured approach across four distinct phases streamlined certificate management, enhanced data security, and simplified administrative tasks through centralized device management.  This integration simplified identity and device management with Intune, reducing the possibility of unwanted access and data breaches while facilitating authentication with Windows Hello for Business.

The newly established PKI framework not only safeguards sensitive information through encryption and automated processes but also aligns with regulatory requirements, mitigating risks of non-compliance. As the organization continues to grow, the scalable nature of the PKI will support its ongoing and future security requirements. 

Ultimately, the successful accomplishment of this initiative creates a strong foundation for future growth and innovation. It has enabled the organization to adapt to the security challenges while creating a secure and resilient environment that supports its long-term strategic goals. If you are also looking for a similar solution to upgrade your infrastructure, we are here to help.