Configure secure input and output data in actions in cloud flows

When working with Microsoft Power Automate and building cloud flows, it’s crucial to ensure that your input and output data is secure. By properly configuring your actions, you can protect sensitive information and safeguard the integrity of your data. In this article, we will explore how to configure secure input and output data in actions in cloud flows.

1. Use Secure Input Parameters

Input parameters are used to pass data into an action from a previous step or trigger. When dealing with sensitive information such as passwords or access tokens, it’s recommended to mark them as secure inputs. By doing so, the data will be encrypted and stored securely.

To mark an input parameter as secure, follow these steps:

1. Open the cloud flow in the Power Automate designer.
2. Select the action that requires secure input.
3. In the action settings, locate the input parameter you wish to mark as secure.
4. Click on the ellipsis (...) button next to the input parameter.
5. In the dialogue box, enable the "Secure input" option.
6. Save and publish your cloud flow.

By marking an input parameter as secure, you can protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

2. Secure Output Data

Similarly, it’s essential to protect the output data of your actions. By default, cloud flow outputs are available for use throughout the flow, but they are not secured. To secure the output data, you can use the “Set Variable” action to store the output in a variable.

Here’s how you can secure the output data:

1. After the action that generates the output, add a "Set Variable" action.
2. Configure the "Set Variable" action and store the output value in a variable.
3. Remove the output from the action or set it to a default value.
4. Save and publish your cloud flow.

By storing the output data in a variable, you ensure that sensitive information is not exposed to subsequent steps or triggers in your cloud flow.

3. Limit Access to Actions

Microsoft Power Automate offers different user roles and permissions to control access to actions. By assigning appropriate permissions to users or groups, you can restrict access to specific actions.

To limit access to actions, follow these steps:

1. Open the cloud flow in the Power Automate designer.
2. Select the action you want to secure.
3. In the action settings, click on the ellipsis (...) button.
4. Choose "Specify users or groups" under the "Run only users" section.
5. Enter the names or email addresses of the users or groups that should have access to the action.
6. Save and publish your cloud flow.

By limiting access to actions, you can ensure that only authorized users can execute them, reducing the risk of data exposure.

In conclusion, configuring secure input and output data in actions is crucial to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of your data in Microsoft Power Automate cloud flows. By following the steps discussed in this article, you can protect sensitive information, secure output data, and limit access to actions. Start implementing these best practices today to ensure the security of your cloud flows.