What’s new in Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) 2024.3 Release

The Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) continues to move forward with the release of MDEP 2024.3, delivering powerful new tools and enhancements designed for OEMs and third-party developers. This latest update introduces advanced security features, improved API capabilities, and expanded customization options, aimed at streamlining device management across a variety of hardware configurations and form factors, improving integration, and ensuring a secure and seamless user experience.

Juha Kuosmanen, MDEP Director, says: “These updates to MDEP reinforce our commitment to delivering industry-leading device management and security. With these enhancements, OEMs and developers are now better equipped to build secure, user-centric, and customizable device experiences, ultimately enabling organizations to deliver better meeting experiences built on MDEP.”

Let’s take a look at the key features and improvements in this release.

MDEP Configuration API

The MDEP Configuration API serves as a centralized interface that streamlines interactions between partner services and the platform. OEMs can now more easily manage essential functions such as device pairing, synchronization, management sessions, and device settings updates. The API is designed to abstract the complexity of each system, making runtime device management simpler and more efficient. This extensible tool is available through the Microsoft SDK, providing OEMs and developers with easy integration.

MDEP Open API SDK

The MDEP Public SDK is a game changer for developers, providing tools and libraries that simplify app development and integration with the MDEP platform. It allows apps to be decoupled from internal platform services, and provides a user-friendly experience for OEMs and third-party partners, including VaaS providers. The SDK includes public APIs, an Android Studio plugin, and comprehensive documentation within the IDE, enabling features such as enabling/disabling Wi-Fi/Ethernet, rebooting, and using stress tools on virtual devices.

App Integrity Service

Security is paramount in MDEP, and App Integrity Service takes this focus one step further. It allows apps to securely share tokens with clients, including cloud services, to verify application and device identity. With cloud components and reference implementations, App Integrity Service provides a robust solution for securing apps and protecting sensitive data.

SOC Security Enclave Abstraction

SOC Security Enclave Abstraction enhances security by extending hardware attestation, zero trust, and other key security features across all silicon platforms. This ensures a consistent level of protection across all devices, regardless of hardware configuration, protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches.

Deprecation of TLS 1.0/1.1

With TLS 1.0 and 1.1 being deprecated, MDEP has implemented significant design changes and a support plan to facilitate a smooth transition to newer TLS versions. This update is essential to maintaining secure communication channels as newer TLS versions provide improved security protocols.

Support for team panel and meeting room scheduling

MDEP now extends support for Microsoft Teams panels and meeting room calendar displays, providing the same level of security and customization as other MDEP-based devices. This update ensures a seamless and secure experience for meeting room scheduling and management.

Enhanced system app customization

Customization is key, and MDEP 2024.3 introduces a new system-wide Light Theme mode. These expanded customization options give OEMs more flexibility in designing their user interfaces, while ensuring consistency across devices, giving users a consistent look and feel.

IP Phone – Partner Preview

Partners can now preview the basic capabilities of Teams Phones and IP Phones. This early release provides an exciting opportunity to explore and integrate new devices, giving us a glimpse into the future of connected device experiences.

Enterprise and Government Grade Networking: EAP Over LAN – Partner Preview

MDEP introduces enterprise and government-grade networking capabilities with native support for Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) over LAN. Delivered via Configuration APIs and SDKs, these capabilities ensure robust and secure networking that meets the stringent security requirements of enterprise and government environments.

To learn more about MDEP, visit https://aka.ms/mdep