Ensuring Security in Low-Code Solutions: A SharePoint Guide

If you're exploring low-code platforms, maybe in combination with SharePoint, you're likely asking yourself some tough questions:

• Can these tools handle sensitive internal data securely?
• Are they compliant with regulations when dealing with personal or confidential information?
• What if a security gap puts your entire organization at risk?

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These are valid concerns. Many processes that low-code platforms are designed to digitize often involve internal business data or even personally identifiable information (PII). A breach or mismanagement of this data could lead to severe legal, financial, and reputational damage.

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It's crucial to evaluate security upfront and ensure your chosen platform can meet your company's data protection and compliance requirements.

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In this blog post, we'll explore the security features of low-code platforms, particularly those integrated with SharePoint, and show you how to address these concerns effectively.

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Why Security Should Always Be Your First Priority

Imagine this scenario: you've just introduced a new low-code platform. It has digitized and automated all your processes. Everything is running smoothly until your security team steps in and discovers critical gaps.

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The result? You may have to undo all your hard work.

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This is why evaluating security must be the first step before introducing any tool. Once you ensure it meets your company's security guidelines, you can confidently digitize, automate, and modernize your processes.

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You can also get an overview of all the important points on this topic in this video:

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Understanding SharePoint's Built-In Security Features

If you're using Microsoft SharePoint as basis together with a low-code platform like the skybow Studio or PowerApps to digitize your processes, you already have access to robust security features. Thanks to these security features, which SharePoint already offers out-of-the-box, you don't have to worry about many things. It's therefore important to understand how secure SharePoint actually is and which functions guarantee the security of your data and processes.

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Let's take a closer look at what SharePoint offers:

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1. Data Encryption

• All data in SharePoint is encrypted at rest and in transit‍
• That ensures secure data storage and transfer.

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2. Access Control

• SharePoint supports role-based access control (RBAC), so you can define who can view or edit documents and workflows.
• It includes multi-factor authentication (MFA) and integrates with Azure Active Directory for secure identity management.

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3. Compliance

• Audit logs document who has accessed or modified files, providing full visibility.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) features help prevent sensitive information leaks.

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4. Regular Updates and Patches

• SharePoint benefits from Microsoft's frequent updates and patches
• Those updates keep SharePoint aligned with the latest cybersecurity standards.

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5. GDPR Compliance

For businesses in Europe, GDPR compliance is critical:

• Data location control: Choose where your data is stored to meet GDPR requirements.
• Retention policies: Manage data lifecycle with tools that align with GDPR rules.

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With these features, SharePoint offers a secure foundation for your business processes.

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Low-Code Platforms and SharePoint: skybow Studio

The skybow Studio is the #1 low-code platform designed specifically for SharePoint. It ensures that your processes remain secure while leveraging SharePoint's process digitization features. This allows you to digitize a wide variety of processes from all possible areas of the company. To do this, skybow provides all the necessary functions in an all-in-one platform with a transparent and simple license.

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Let's explore its key security benefits:

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1. Data Control

• Data always stays within your SharePoint environment.
• Unlike standalone low-code platforms, your data never leaves your secure environment.
• skybow doesn't process your data.

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2. Integration with SharePoint

• skybow leverages SharePoint's existing security features without requiring additional infrastructure like external servers or databases.
• So if you're already using Microsoft 365 anyway, you don't need to worry about the security of another system.

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3. Customizable Permissions

• skybow allows granular permissions so you can control who has access to specific items, workflows, or fields.
• This ensures that everyone really only sees what is relevant.

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4. No Lock-In Effect

• Because skybow builds on SharePoint, you're never locked into the platform.
• Your processes remain usable even without skybow Studio.

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5. Data Encryption

• All data is encrypted at rest and in transit, ensuring it stays secure.

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By combining skybow Studio with SharePoint, you can create secure and modern processes while keeping full control of your data. The perfect basis for modernising your manual processes.

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Checklist: Evaluating Security in Low-Code Tools

Here's a simple checklist to ensure your low-code platform is secure:

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• Understand the data storage location. Does your data stay within your secure environment?
• Check encryption standards. Is data encrypted both at rest and in transit?
• Review access control options. Can you set role-based permissions and use MFA?
• Ensure compliance. Does the platform align with regulations like GDPR?
• Assess integration. Does the tool integrate seamlessly with existing security measures like SharePoint?
• Look for regular updates. Does the platform receive frequent security patches?

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By following this checklist, you can confidently choose a secure platform for your business.

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Your Key Points to Remember

• Always ensure your data is encrypted and remains within your secure environment.
• Use tools that support granular access control and compliance with regulations like GDPR.
• Regularly update and patch your platforms to keep up with cybersecurity standards.

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By prioritizing security, you can build modern, efficient processes without compromising sensitive business data. If you're unsure about security guidelines or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to experts for help.

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Stay secure, stay smart! 💚