Microsoft Teams: App centric management for app deployment in Teams Admin Center

🚨 The Signal: Teams app deployment is shifting from policy-based to app-centric management. Admins can now precisely control which users get specific apps preinstalled, enhancing granular control over the Teams environment.

The Impact

Admins are affected by a change in app deployment methodology, which can improve security posture by enabling more targeted app distribution.

• Admins: New method for preinstalling Teams apps, requiring updated management procedures.
• Security Team: Enhanced ability to restrict app availability, reducing potential attack vectors.
• Users: May experience more tailored app availability based on admin configurations.
• Compliance Officers: Improved auditability of app deployment for specific user groups.

The Action

1. Review existing 'Installed apps' sections in Teams app setup policies to understand current configurations.
2. Familiarize with the new app-centric deployment settings in Teams Admin Center.
3. Plan and test new app deployment assignments for specific users and groups.
4. Update internal documentation and training for Teams app management procedures.

Domain: Teams · Impact: medium · Workload: Teams · Essential Eight: Application Control · ISM: ISM-0843, ISM-1490, ISM-1544, ISM-1582, ISM-1656, ISM-1657, ISM-1658, ISM-1659, ISM-1660, ISM-1870, ISM-1871