Introduction
When thinking about your Power Platform environment, it’s important to shift your mindset. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, investing time upfront to secure your environment and follow best practices is crucial. One of the biggest reasons? Scalability.
In my opinion, some platform deployment failures stem from a lack of strategic planning for business growth. As your company scales, new challenges will emerge. While we can’t predict every obstacle, there are common patterns in how businesses and applications evolve. And if you believe AI agents will make business applications obsolete, let’s clarify something—policy applies to both.
At its core, policy isn’t about what you implement; it’s about how you implement it. It’s a strategic framework, not just a tactical checklist.
What are Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies?
According to this nice shiny definition found on Microsoft Learn:
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a critical aspect of maintaining data security and compliance within the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem.
My definition is much shorter and it simply is: “You can’t do that because the organization said so!”
Connectors
DLP policies play a critical role in keeping company data from unintentionally ending up on platforms like LinkedIn. One of the Power Platform’s biggest strengths is its access to over 1,000 connectors—and if one doesn’t exist, you can build it. But realistically, do users need access to every connector? Do they need to create custom ones? The short answer is no.
Because anyone with an M365 license has access to the Power Platform, technically, anyone can be a maker. While Microsoft encourages citizen development by providing open access to the default environment, the responsibility of enforcing policies doesn’t fall on Microsoft—it falls on the organization. That means preventing data leaks and securing Power Platform solutions isn’t optional; it’s a core responsibility for license owners.
Strategic Thinking
The more I engage in governance projects, the more I notice a common trend—and it’s not the lack of policy that concerns me. What worries me most are the gaps in strategic thinking when it comes to the Power Platform. Too often, organizations approach it as just another tool rather than a foundational part of their technology strategy.
Like any enterprise software, the Power Platform needs a well-thought-out deployment strategy. It’s not just about setting up policies; it’s about ensuring long-term scalability, maintaining clean and reliable data, and prioritizing security. Without a strategic approach, organizations risk inefficiencies, data sprawl, and security vulnerabilities that could have been prevented.
Over time, little by little, I’ve been encouraged to see companies shifting their perspective. What was once seen as a “neat little toy” bundled with E3 licensing is now starting to be recognized as a critical piece of the technology roadmap—powering mission-critical applications and driving real business outcomes. I hope this trend continues. I hope implementation include a more sound approach.
The Consultants Responsibility.
It’s also up to the consultant. As we engage with clients and deploy the Power Platform, we have a responsibility to take real-world use cases—including the horror stories—and use them to shape better strategies moving forward. Experience is one of the best teachers, and it’s our job to ensure that lessons learned don’t go to waste.
I’ve worked with combative clients who initially saw no need for a strategic approach to Power Platform implementation—until I helped them see the bigger picture. Often, resistance comes from a lack of understanding, not a lack of willingness. Once decision-makers recognize the risks and long-term implications, they begin to appreciate the value of governance.
We also can’t assume that users and citizen developers will fully grasp the security risks tied to the connectors they use—that’s not their responsibility. It’s on us to establish the right policies, provide guidance, and build a framework that protects both the organization and its data. In governance, being proactive isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity.
Informing Governance as a Whole
In my experience, the more we discussed governance within the Power Platform, the more it prompted decision-makers to rethink governance across their entire IT landscape. These conversations often led to deeper questions: What hidden risks exist? Where are the data silos? Who has access to sensitive information that they probably shouldn’t?
The real value in these discussions is that while I’m advocating for a strategic approach to the Power Platform, I’m also making the case for stronger governance overall. It’s not just about one tool—it’s about creating a cohesive, well-managed IT environment that serves the entire organization. When governance becomes a priority, it enhances security, improves data integrity, and ultimately drives better business outcomes across all systems.
Some might argue otherwise, but let’s take a step back—where does the data powering the Power Platform actually come from? In many cases, especially when integrating with REST services to connect to a non-Dynamics ERP or even when working within Dynamics, the data originates from silos. These are the same silos feeding into ERPs, business processes, and, more concerningly, systems that IT may not even be aware of.
This is why governance isn’t just about securing the Power Platform—it’s about understanding and managing the entire data ecosystem. Without proper oversight, organizations risk building solutions on fragmented, uncontrolled, or even unauthorized data sources. Make governance a crucial part of not just platform strategy, but overall IT strategy.
Call to Action
If you’re struggling with governance, take action today:
• Engage Your Partner – If you have a trusted partner, reach out for an assessment to identify gaps and improve your strategy.
• Tap Into the Community – If you have general questions, the Power Platform community (myself included) is here to help. Don’t hesitate to ask.
• Leverage Microsoft Tools – Install the CoE Starter Kit to gain insights and control over your environment.
• Educate Yourself – Explore Microsoft Learn for governance best practices and guidance.
Governance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s an ongoing effort. Take the next step today!