Which solution should you use to automatically configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus for new session hosts in an Azure Virtual Desktop host pool?

Using Microsoft Intune is the preferred solution for automatically configuring Microsoft Defender Antivirus for new session hosts in an Azure Virtual Desktop host pool. Intune allows for the management and deployment of policies across a range of devices, including virtual machines in Azure.

When you utilize Intune, you can define antivirus settings that ensure consistency across all session hosts. This includes configuring protection settings, responding to threats, and automating updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus. By leveraging Intune’s ability to manage device compliance and security configurations, you ensure that any newly deployed session host adheres to the security policies set for Microsoft Defender.

Other methods like Azure Policy, while useful for enforcing rules and compliance in Azure resources, do not specifically manage antivirus settings at the individual session host level. Extensions can enhance the functionality of Azure VMs, but they are not specifically crafted for applying antivirus configurations automatically upon the deployment of new virtual machines. Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides security management and threat protection across Azure but does not directly configure antivirus settings on VM session hosts. Thus, Intune stands out as the comprehensive solution for automating antivirus configurations in this context.