Configure device groups, permissions, and automation levels
5 minutes
5 Questions
Device groups in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are essential organizational units that allow security teams to manage and control access to devices based on specific criteria. Configuring device groups involves creating logical collections of devices that share common characteristics such as oper…Device groups in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are essential organizational units that allow security teams to manage and control access to devices based on specific criteria. Configuring device groups involves creating logical collections of devices that share common characteristics such as operating system, location, or business function.
To configure device groups, navigate to the Microsoft 365 Defender portal and access Settings > Endpoints > Device groups. When creating a new group, you must define matching rules using device properties like device name, domain, tags, or OS platform. These rules determine which devices automatically become members of the group.
Permissions within device groups control what actions security team members can perform. Role-based access control (RBAC) enables administrators to assign specific roles to user groups, granting them appropriate access levels. Common roles include Security Administrator, Security Reader, and Security Operator. Each role provides different capabilities ranging from full remediation actions to read-only access. You can assign user groups to specific device groups, ensuring team members only access devices relevant to their responsibilities.
Automation levels determine how automated investigation and remediation processes handle threats on devices within each group. Microsoft Defender offers several automation levels: Full automation allows the system to remediate threats autonomously. Semi-automation requires approval for certain remediation actions while allowing others to proceed. No automation means all remediation actions require manual approval from security analysts.
When setting automation levels, consider the sensitivity of devices and your organization's risk tolerance. Production servers might warrant semi-automation to prevent unintended disruptions, while standard workstations could benefit from full automation to speed up response times.
Proper configuration of these elements ensures efficient security operations by providing appropriate access controls, organizing devices logically for better management, and balancing automated response capabilities with human oversight based on organizational requirements and device criticality.
Configure Device Groups, Permissions, and Automation Levels
Why This Topic Is Important
Understanding how to configure device groups, permissions, and automation levels is critical for security operations analysts because it enables efficient management of security incidents across large environments. Proper configuration ensures that the right teams have access to the right devices, and that automated responses are appropriately scoped to minimize both risk and manual workload.
What Are Device Groups?
Device groups in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are logical collections of devices organized based on specific criteria such as: - Device names or naming patterns - Domain membership - Tags assigned to devices - Operating system type
Device groups allow security teams to: - Apply different security policies to different sets of devices - Control which users can view and manage specific devices - Set varying automation levels for investigation and remediation
Understanding Permissions and RBAC
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint controls what actions users can perform on device groups. Key permission levels include:
Full access - Users can view information and take all available actions Read-only access - Users can view information but cannot perform remediation actions No access - Users cannot view or interact with the device group
Permissions are assigned through roles that are then mapped to device groups, creating a matrix of access control.
Automation Levels Explained
Automation levels determine how Microsoft Defender for Endpoint responds to threats. There are several levels:
Full automation - Remediation actions are taken automatically on all threats Semi-automation (require approval for core folders) - Automatic remediation except for files in core Windows folders Semi-automation (require approval for non-temp folders) - Automatic remediation only in temporary folders Semi-automation (require approval for all folders) - All file remediation requires approval No automation - No automatic remediation; all actions require manual approval
How Device Groups Work
1. Creation - Administrators define device groups in the Microsoft Defender portal under Settings 2. Matching - Devices are evaluated against group criteria and assigned accordingly 3. Priority - Groups are evaluated in order; a device joins the first matching group 4. Default Group - Devices not matching any criteria fall into the default ungrouped devices category
Configuration Steps
To configure device groups: 1. Navigate to Settings in the Microsoft Defender portal 2. Select Endpoints, then Device groups 3. Create a new device group with a descriptive name 4. Define matching criteria using available attributes 5. Set the automation level appropriate for those devices 6. Assign user groups with the required access level 7. Set the priority rank for the group
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Configure Device Groups, Permissions, and Automation Levels
1. Remember the automation hierarchy - Know the order from full automation to no automation and what each level permits
2. Understand priority order - Devices match to the first group in the priority list that matches their criteria; this is frequently tested
3. RBAC connection - Questions may ask about connecting roles to device groups; remember that both components must be configured for access control to work
4. Default behavior - Unmatched devices go to the default ungrouped category with the tenant-wide automation setting
5. Scenario-based questions - Look for clues about organizational requirements (compliance needs, team responsibilities) to determine the correct automation level
6. Minimum privilege principle - When questions ask about best practices, choose options that provide the least access necessary to perform required tasks
7. Watch for keywords - Terms like 'sensitive servers' or 'production environment' often indicate semi-automation or lower automation levels are appropriate
8. Time-based scenarios - If a question mentions needing quick response, full automation is typically the answer for non-critical systems