Power Platform governance: Best practices for efficient operations

The Need for Power Platform Governance

Microsoft Power Apps is a leader in the low-code solutions space and empowers millions of users to do more at work while enabling organizations to meet their business challenges. The Power Platform suite consists of Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents. Utilizing over 300 connectors from Microsoft and third-party sources like Common Data Service (CDS), custom-built connectors, Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the cutting-edge AI Builder, these solutions accommodate a wide spectrum of users. From Microsoft Excel users to seasoned developers, the platform serves diverse skill sets.

While democratized access to data enables employees to easily build apps, flows, and dashboards, it can lead to major security concerns for organizations as well. However, companies can mitigate data loss, enhance risk management, ensure compliance, and uphold customer trust, by implementing specific Microsoft Power Platform governance best practices.

‍

The Need for Power Platform Governance

1. Enhance Microsoft Power Platform Environment Management      

When aiming to secure and regulate Power Platform usage, the management of environments becomes crucial. Environments serve as secure containers for the execution of apps and flows. While the default configuration in Power Platform permits the creation of new environments by anyone, Administrators can govern the ability to create and manage environments by adjusting settings in the Admin Center. Here are some key practices ensuring effective management of the Microsoft Power Platform environment:          

     
• The Power Platform Admin Center empowers organizations to establish additional environments tailored to distinct roles, security needs, or target audiences. For example, organizations can designate separate environments for testing, development, marketing, etc. This ensures that only authorized team members can access the apps, flows, and resources within a specific environment, safeguarding it against unauthorized access.
           
• Within an environment, apps can access the database specific to that environment, rather than the Microsoft Dataverse database in another environment.
           
• By selecting the region during environment creation in the Power Platform Admin Center, organizations can strategically position their environment closer to users and fulfil compliance obligations based on geography. This approach enables Admin Analytics to enforce data residency, ensuring that organizational data generated within a region remains within that region, enhancing its protection.
       

2. Policies for Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

DLP policies enable organizations to establish regulations governing the interaction between connectors within flows. Microsoft accomplishes this through the creation of two data groups:

‍A. Business Data Only Allowed    

‍B. No Business Data Allowed        

‍

These groups categorize connectors based on their data profiles, allowing communication within the same group while restricting communication across groups. Here's how organizations can leverage DLP policies to bolster the security of Power Platform instances:          

     
• Connectors with similar data profiles belong to the same data group and cannot communicate with connectors in other groups. Consequently, connectors in the Business data group cannot interact with those in the Non-business data group. To create a flow involving connectors from different groups, users must relocate one connector to the other group.
           
• Organizations can designate a default data group, specifying the primary data policy to be applied. This setting can be adjusted in the Connectors section of the Admin Center.
           
• DLP policies within Power Platform operate at two scopes: environment and tenant. Environment-scoped policies apply only to specific environments, while tenant-scoped policies affect all environments within the tenant. When implementing multiple DLP policies, the most restrictive policy takes precedence.
           
• Configuring DLP policies should align with an organization's existing environment architecture and cybersecurity principles. Administrators should carefully evaluate whether to allow business-related connectors to interact with consumer-based services based on these principles.
           
• Designating a default data group requires careful consideration. Regardless of the chosen group, administrators must monitor the deployment of new connectors to ensure they are placed appropriately.
       

3. Power Platform Center of Excellence Starter Kit        

The Microsoft Power Platform Center of Excellence (COE) Starter Kit serves as a valuable resource for organizations seeking to enhance the visibility and governance of their Power Platform usage. Comprising apps, flows, a custom connector, and a Power BI dashboard, the Starter Kit facilitates effective management of Power Platform environments. It aids in identifying users and introducing risk through application development while empowering those automating workloads within approved systems. Key features of the Power Platform Starter Kit include:          

     
• DLP Editor: Allows administrators to assess the impact of moving connectors between data groups and notify affected app owners through in-app notifications.
           
• Power BI Dashboard: Provides comprehensive insights into Power Platform usage, including app and flow creation statistics, environment metrics, and user engagement data.
           
• App Audit: Enables administrators to identify and manage overshared or redundant resources, ensuring adherence to business justification requirements.
           
• App Catalog: Facilitates app discoverability, allowing users to explore featured apps and browse by category to minimize duplication and enhance efficiency.
   

Summing Up: Oversee, Secure, and Construct More Effectively

As the rate of digital transformation picks up pace, an increasing number of organizations are turning to the Power Platform for rapid building, analysis, and automation. Leveraging the features available in the Power Platform Admin Center, organizations can maintain robust governance and security for their instances.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, 1Point1 has assisted organizations worldwide in securing and governing their Microsoft 365 suite. Our team of experts can aid organizations in utilizing the Power Platform for analysis, automation, and modernization, all while mitigating the risk of exposing sensitive data.

Interested in discovering more? Get in touch with us today.

As a reputable global entity, we specialize in crafting tailored software solutions utilizing Power Platform tools like Power Automate, Power BI, Power Apps, etc.

For further inquiries about our services, Contact us for more information.