Microsoft Power Platform has become a cornerstone of digital transformation for organizations leveraging Microsoft 365. As a leader in low-code solutions, it empowers millions of users to enhance productivity and tackle business challenges effectively. The Power Platform suite, which includes Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents, integrates seamlessly with over 300 connectors, including Microsoft’s Common Data Service (CDS), Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and custom-built connectors.
However, with this broad accessibility comes the responsibility to manage risks and ensure compliance. Implementing robust governance practices is essential to protect sensitive data and maintain organizational trust.
Here’s a guide to ensuring effective Power Platform governance with best practices.
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Best practices for Power Platform governance
1. Manage Microsoft Power Platform Environments Effectively
Environments in Power Platform act as security containers for apps and flows, segregating them based on roles, security requirements, or target audiences. Proper management of these environments is crucial for maintaining data security and governance.
- Create and Manage Environments: Use the Power Platform Admin Center to create environments for different purposes such as development, testing, and production. This ensures that only authorized personnel have access to specific resources, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Regional Data Storage: When setting up environments, select the appropriate region to ensure data is stored close to users and complies with local regulations. This prevents data from leaving its designated region and helps maintain compliance with data protection laws.
- Access Control: Adjust environment settings in the Admin Center to control who can create and manage environments. This helps prevent unauthorized environment creation and ensures that only designated users have access to sensitive resources.
2. Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies
DLP policies in Power Platform help organizations manage data flow and prevent unauthorized data sharing between connectors. Here’s how to effectively implement DLP policies:
- Define Data Groups: Create data groups to categorize connectors based on their data profile. For example, group connectors handling business data separately from those handling non-business data. This prevents connectors from different groups from communicating with each other.
- Set Default Data Groups: Choose a default data group for your connectors and configure your DLP policies accordingly. To change the default group, access the Admin Center and select the appropriate data policy.
- Scope of DLP Policies: Apply DLP policies at the environment or tenant level. Environment-scoped policies apply to specific environments, while tenant-scoped policies cover all environments within a tenant. Ensure that the most restrictive policy is enforced when multiple policies are applied.
- Monitor and Update Policies: Regularly review and update DLP policies to adapt to changing business needs and emerging risks. Pay attention to new connectors and ensure they are placed in the appropriate data group.
3. Utilize the Microsoft Power Platform Center of Excellence (COE) Starter Kit
The COE Starter Kit is a comprehensive tool for governance, providing visibility into Power Platform usage and helping manage risks effectively. Key features include:
- DLP Editor: Explore existing DLP policies and assess the impact of changing data group assignments. The DLP Editor highlights potential issues and allows administrators to communicate changes to app owners.
- Power BI Dashboard: Gain insights into app and flow usage, environment creation, and other key metrics through a Power BI dashboard. This helps monitor the overall health of your Power Platform environment.
- App Audit: Identify frequently used or overshared apps and evaluate their business impact. Use the App Audit tool to prompt users to validate the business justification of their applications.
- App Catalog: Facilitate app discovery and prevent duplication by providing a catalog of available apps. This encourages users to explore existing solutions before creating new ones, streamlining application development.
As organizations increasingly rely on Microsoft Power Platform to drive innovation and automate processes, robust governance practices are essential to manage risks and ensure compliance. By effectively managing environments, implementing DLP policies, and utilizing the COE Starter Kit, businesses can maintain control over their Power Platform usage and protect sensitive data.
For expert guidance on leveraging Power Platform while ensuring governance and security, contact us.
As a trusted partner, AVASOFT can help you navigate the complexities of Power Platform, enhance your digital capabilities, and safeguard your data.
Reach out to us to learn more about how we can support your Power Platform governance strategy.
