Client:
A forward-thinking organization looking to modernize its IT infrastructure and enhance collaboration and security sought to migrate from Azure Active Directory (AD) to Office 365. The company aimed to streamline identity and device management, improve security, and move its file servers to SharePoint and OneDrive for Business. Additionally, the client planned to decommission its on-premises AD and Exchange servers to embrace the cloud-first approach fully.
Phase 1: Migrating to Office 365 and Endpoint Manager Setup
A. Azure AD to Office 365 Migration:
Disable AAD Connect Sync: The IT team temporarily disabled Azure AD Connect sync to ensure a clean migration process.
Connector Space Cleanup: The Connector space for the domain to be decommissioned was deleted to avoid any conflicts during migration.
Cleanup and Preparation: Third-party agents, such as AV and Backup agents, were removed from the server, and AD server details were removed from Firewall/Networking rules.
Cloud-Only Identities and Password Management: The IT team enabled cloud-only identities for users and implemented secure password management.
B. Microsoft Endpoint Manager Setup:
Endpoint Manager Landing Zone: The team established a robust landing zone within Microsoft Endpoint Manager to manage and secure devices efficiently.
Azure AD Registration: Devices were registered in Azure AD to ensure seamless device management and authentication.
Application Management: Application management was set up in Azure AD to streamline app deployment and configurations.
Device Enrolment: Windows 10 automatic enrolment and MDM enrolment were configured for simplified device onboarding.
Configuration Designer and Policies: Configuration Designer and Windows Profiles were established for efficient device enrolment and policy application.
Baseline Device Policies: Baseline policies were configured to enforce security standards on enrolled devices.
Conditional Access Policies: Conditional Access policies were set up to control access to corporate resources based on user, device, and location conditions.
C. Security, Compliance & Identity Access Management:
Secure Identities and Authentication: The IT team implemented robust identity and access management practices to enhance security.
Azure AD Identity Governance: Azure AD Identity Governance features were configured to streamline identity management and governance.
MFA and SSPR: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) were enabled to strengthen user authentication and improve user experience.
SSO and Microsoft Defender: Single Sign-On (SSO) was configured with Sophos for seamless user access. Microsoft Defender was deployed to enhance endpoint security.
Microsoft Security and Compliance: The IT team configured Microsoft Security and Compliance features to strengthen security and compliance practices.
Zero Trust Security Controls: Zero Trust security controls were implemented to enhance network security and data protection.
Data Protection and Governance: Sensitivity labels were applied to data to enhance data protection and governance practices.
Exchange Online Protection: Exchange Online Protection was configured to secure email communications.
Phase 2: File Server Migration to SharePoint & OneDrive for Business
A. Migration Center and Fileserver Agent Setup: The IT team set up a migration center and configured fileserver agents for a seamless data migration process.
B. Data Mapping and Migration: User and data mapping were carried out to ensure accurate data migration. The data migration process was executed smoothly.
C. Permission Review and SharePoint User Mapping: The team conducted a thorough permission review and mapped users to SharePoint and OneDrive for Business accounts.
Phase 3: Server Decommission
A. Exchange Online Transition:
DNS Records and Exchange Connectors: Autodiscover DNS records were updated to point to Exchange Online. Centralized Mail Transport and Hybrid Connectors were disabled.
Federation and Organization Relationship: The Exchange Online federation and organization relationship were removed.
OAuth and SCP Removal: OAuth was disabled, and Service Connection Point (SCP) values on Exchange servers were removed.
Mimecast Vendor Guidelines: Mimecast vendor guidelines were followed to ensure mail flow aligns with their recommendations.
B. Exchange Online Enhanced Filtering and Testing: Exchange Online Enhanced Filtering was configured and thoroughly tested to ensure smooth mail flow.
C. Decommissioning On-Prem Servers:
AV, Backup Agents, and Monitoring Agents: AV, backup agents, and monitoring agents were removed from the server to streamline the decommissioning process.
Exchange and AAD Connect Uninstallation: Exchange, AAD Connect, and AD Domain services were uninstalled, ensuring a clean removal of on-premises servers.
Conclusion:
The migration from Azure AD to Office 365 and the successful decommissioning of on-premises AD and Exchange servers marked a significant transformation for the forward-thinking organization. By deploying Microsoft Endpoint Manager, enhancing security and compliance measures, and migrating file servers to SharePoint and OneDrive for Business, the company achieved streamlined device management, improved collaboration, and enhanced data protection. The fully embraced cloud-first approach provided the organization with scalable and secure IT infrastructure, boosting productivity and future-proofing their business for continued growth and innovation.