Security Checklist

What to check before linking your tools — who gets access, where passwords and keys are stored, what gets logged, how long data is kept, and where sensitive information is allowed to travel.

Automation should make your team faster, not more vulnerable. But every time you connect two systems, you’re opening a door. The question isn’t whether to connect — it’s whether you know who’s coming through.

Here’s a practical checklist before you link anything.

1. Access scoping

Ask: Does this tool really need full access, or just read-only?

Most integrations ask for more permission than they actually need. A monitoring tool probably doesn’t need delete access. A reporting tool likely doesn’t need to update records.

Rule: Grant the minimum access required to do the job — nothing more.

2. Secrets management

Ask: Where are API keys, tokens, and passwords stored?

Hardcoding them in scripts or sharing them via Slack is a breach waiting to happen. Use a secrets manager (your cloud provider’s, or tools like Vault or Doppler).

Rule: Never store secrets in code, emails, or shared documents.

3. Logging and audit trails

Ask: If something goes wrong, can we trace what happened?

Your automation should log: who or what took an action, what system they accessed, when, and what data was involved. This isn’t just for security — it’s how you debug failures.

Rule: Every automated action should be auditable after the fact.

4. Data retention

Ask: How long does data stick around in the integration layer?

Some connectors cache data indefinitely. That’s fine for public information. It’s not fine for customer records, employee data, or financial details.

Rule: Delete automated data when you’re done with it — or set a clear retention policy.

5. Sensitive data flow

Ask: Where is sensitive data allowed to travel?

Your customer database should not send raw PII to a third-party AI tool. Your HR system shouldn’t push payroll data through a public webhook.

Rule: Map where sensitive data goes before you connect the pipes.

A quick test before any integration

Before you flip the switch, run through these five questions with your vendor or internal team:

1. What’s the minimum access this needs?

2. Where are secrets stored?

3. What gets logged, and for how long?

4. How long is data retained in the integration?

5. Does this flow violate any compliance rules (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC2)?

If you can’t answer all five, pause. We can help you design it right.