Power Platform Security: Cross-Component Integration

Introduction to Cross-Component Security Integration

Security in the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem extends beyond individual applications or environments. It encompasses Dataverse, SharePoint, Power BI, and often Azure Active Directory. An integrated approach to security ensures consistent authorization, reduced risk, and enhanced control over corporate data distributed across multiple cloud services.

The cross-component security model addresses a common challenge: when a Dataverse application integrates SharePoint documents or Power BI dashboards, users may access unauthorized data if the protection mechanisms are not aligned. To mitigate this risk, it’s crucial to implement permission synchronization mechanisms or architectures that support role and privilege propagation across systems.

Dataverse - SharePoint Integration

When integrating Dataverse with SharePoint for document management, it’s essential that Dataverse record permissions are reflected in the corresponding SharePoint folders and files. The default setup grants all users access to the entire SharePoint site collection, which can create potential security risks.

Possible Approaches

• Full Access: Simple but risky, as all Dataverse users can view files across the entire collection.
• Manual Control: Manually assigning folder permissions, impractical at scale.
• Permission Replication: Custom or third-party solutions that synchronize Dataverse permissions to SharePoint.

Automated permission replication is considered a best practice since it prevents unauthorized access and ensures consistency across systems. This can be implemented using Azure Functions or Power Automate Flows that call the SharePoint API to update folder permissions whenever Dataverse record security changes.

Dataverse - Power BI Integration

When connecting Power BI to Dataverse, data security can be managed in two main ways: through import or DirectQuery. The import mode copies data into Power BI and does not respect Dataverse permissions. The DirectQuery mode, however, enforces user credentials for every query, ensuring data visibility aligns with Dataverse privileges.

Authorization Types

• No Authorization: All users can view all data.
• Power BI Authorization: Managed via Row-Level Security (RLS).
• Dataverse Authorization: With DirectQuery, data is filtered according to Dataverse user privileges.

For maximum security, use DirectQuery datasets and implement gateways and policies that propagate user credentials. This ensures Power BI dashboards respect the same access rules as model-driven apps.

IAM Automation and User Synchronization

Identity and Access Management (IAM) automation allows centralized control over user creation, license assignment, and permission synchronization in complex Power Platform environments. Large enterprises often use Azure Active Directory as the central authority and integrate IAM processes with Microsoft Graph API and Dataverse API.

Example IAM Automation Flow

1. Create the user in Active Directory.
2. Synchronize the account with Azure AD via Azure AD Connect.
3. Automatically assign Power Platform and Power BI licenses using Microsoft Graph API.
4. Provision the user in Dataverse environments via Dataverse API.
5. Assign appropriate security roles in Dataverse and Power BI.

This automation reduces onboarding time, eliminates manual errors, and ensures each user receives only necessary permissions. It also enables timely access revocation, improving compliance and operational security.