The Power Platform utilizes a delegated subnet for private connectivity, and API Manager handles authentication and authorization via OAuth 2. Here’s how the patterns would look across the seven design dimensions:
1. Power Apps Communicating with AI Search
1.1 Architecture Overview
- VNet Integration with Custom Connector:
- Power Apps uses a custom connector within a delegated subnet that routes traffic to the Azure API Manager (APIM). APIM is configured within the VNet and fronts AI Search, ensuring secure, private access.
- Private Endpoints and APIM:
- AI Search is accessed via APIM, which is exposed through a private endpoint within the VNet. This ensures that all communication between Power Apps and AI Search is securely routed within Azure’s private network infrastructure.
1.2 Data Flow
- APIM as the Gateway:
- Power Apps communicates with AI Search by sending requests to APIM. APIM handles OAuth 2 authentication and authorizes the requests before routing them to AI Search.
- Secure Data Flow through VNet:
- Data is encrypted in transit as it moves between Power Apps, APIM, and AI Search, all within the VNet. APIM enforces secure data handling policies, including rate limiting and data sanitization if necessary.
1.3 Security
- OAuth 2 via APIM:
- APIM handles OAuth 2 authentication, ensuring that only authorized users and apps can access AI Search. The use of OAuth 2 provides secure token-based authentication, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
- Implement RBAC within AI Search and enforce it via APIM, ensuring that users can only access data they are authorized to see.
- Audit Logging:
- APIM logs all requests and responses, providing a comprehensive audit trail that includes the identity of the requester and the actions performed on AI Search.
1.4 Networking
- Delegated Subnet and NSG Configuration:
- The delegated subnet for the Power Platform custom connector ensures that outbound traffic from Power Apps to APIM stays within the Azure infrastructure. Use NSGs to control traffic flow within the VNet, restricting access to AI Search to only the APIM.
- Private DNS Zones:
- Configure private DNS zones to resolve APIM and AI Search endpoints within the VNet, ensuring all connections are private and secure.
1.5 Monitoring and Logging
- APIM and Azure Monitor:
- Use Azure Monitor to track and analyze the performance and security of API calls made through APIM to AI Search. Implement real-time alerts for unusual activity or errors in AI Search queries.
- Centralized Logging:
- APIM collects and centralizes logs, making it easier to monitor and audit AI Search interactions. Integrate with a SIEM for advanced security monitoring.
1.6 Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
- Backup and Failover for APIM and AI Search:
- Ensure that both APIM and AI Search have geo-redundant backups and are part of a failover strategy to maintain service availability in the event of an outage.
- DR Drills Including APIM:
- Regularly conduct disaster recovery drills that include failover testing for APIM and AI Search to ensure minimal disruption in case of failures.
1.7 Compliance and Auditability
- Compliance via APIM:
- APIM enforces compliance by controlling and logging all interactions with AI Search, ensuring adherence to GDPR, PRA, and FCA regulations.
- Data Subject Rights Management:
- Through APIM, ensure that any requests involving personal data (such as search queries) are logged and can be retrieved or deleted as required by GDPR.
2. Power Apps Communicating with Cosmos DB
2.1 Architecture Overview
- VNet Integration with Custom Connector:
- The custom connector in Power Apps uses the delegated subnet to securely route requests through APIM, which then connects to Cosmos DB via a private endpoint within the same VNet.
- APIM Fronting Cosmos DB:
- Cosmos DB is accessed through APIM, which handles authentication, authorization, and rate limiting, ensuring secure and efficient communication.
2.2 Data Flow
- APIM as the Gateway:
- Power Apps sends data queries or updates to Cosmos DB through APIM. APIM verifies the OAuth 2 token, checks permissions, and forwards the request to Cosmos DB.
- Efficient Data Operations:
- Optimize the data flow by using Cosmos DB’s partitioning strategy and querying capabilities through APIM, ensuring minimal data transfer and efficient operations.
2.3 Security
- OAuth 2 via APIM:
- APIM authenticates and authorizes all requests to Cosmos DB using OAuth 2 tokens, ensuring that only valid, authenticated requests reach the database.
- RBAC in Cosmos DB:
- Enforce RBAC within Cosmos DB, ensuring that data access is tightly controlled and limited to what is necessary for the user or application.
2.4 Networking
- Delegated Subnet and NSG Configuration:
- The delegated subnet for the Power Platform ensures that Power Apps can securely communicate with Cosmos DB through APIM, with NSGs controlling traffic flow.
- Private Endpoints:
- Use private endpoints for Cosmos DB within the VNet, ensuring all data communication remains private and secure.
2.5 Monitoring and Logging
- APIM and Azure Monitor:
- Monitor all interactions with Cosmos DB via APIM using Azure Monitor, setting up alerts for performance issues or unauthorized access attempts.
- Detailed Logging:
- APIM logs all data access operations on Cosmos DB, providing detailed insights into who accessed what data and when.
2.6 Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
- Cosmos DB Multi-Region Replication:
- Use Cosmos DB’s built-in multi-region replication to ensure high availability and disaster recovery. APIM should be configured to handle failover scenarios seamlessly.
- DR Drills Including APIM:
- Regularly test disaster recovery plans, including failover to secondary regions for Cosmos DB and APIM.
2.7 Compliance and Auditability
- Audit Logging via APIM:
- Ensure that all data access and modifications in Cosmos DB are logged by APIM, maintaining a comprehensive audit trail for compliance purposes.
- Data Retention and Deletion:
- Implement data retention and deletion policies through APIM, ensuring compliance with GDPR’s data subject rights.
3. Power Apps Communicating with BLOB Storage
3.1 Architecture Overview
- VNet Integration with Custom Connector:
- Power Apps connects to Azure BLOB Storage through APIM, with all traffic routed via the delegated subnet within the VNet, ensuring private and secure connectivity.
- APIM Fronting BLOB Storage:
- BLOB Storage is accessed through APIM, which manages requests, provides OAuth 2 authentication, and ensures secure access to storage resources.
3.2 Data Flow
- APIM as the Gateway:
- Power Apps requests to upload, download, or delete files in BLOB Storage are sent through APIM. APIM authenticates the request and routes it to BLOB Storage.
- Data Encryption and Access Management:
- Ensure that all data in BLOB Storage is encrypted at rest, and that access to BLOBs is managed through APIM and Azure AD.
3.3 Security
- OAuth 2 via APIM:
- APIM handles OAuth 2 authentication, ensuring that only authorized users and apps can access BLOB Storage. Use SAS (Shared Access Signatures) for granular access control where needed.
- RBAC and Azure AD Integration:
- Implement RBAC for BLOB Storage, ensuring that data access is limited to authorized users and applications.
3.4 Networking
- Delegated Subnet and NSG Configuration:
- The delegated subnet ensures that Power Apps can securely connect to BLOB Storage via APIM, with NSGs controlling the allowed traffic.
- Private Endpoints:
- Use private endpoints for BLOB Storage, ensuring that all interactions occur within the VNet and are protected from public exposure.
3.5 Monitoring and Logging
- APIM and Azure Monitor:
- Use Azure Monitor to track all interactions with BLOB Storage through APIM, with alerts for unusual activity, such as large data transfers or unauthorized access attempts.
- Detailed Logging:
- APIM logs all file access and modifications in BLOB Storage, maintaining a comprehensive audit trail for compliance and security monitoring.
3.6 Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
- Geo-Redundant Storage:
- Use Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS) for BLOBs to ensure that data is replicated across regions for disaster recovery. APIM should be configured to handle failover scenarios.
- DR Drills Including APIM:
- Regularly test DR plans, including failover scenarios for BLOB Storage and APIM, to ensure quick recovery in case of a regional outage.
3.7 Compliance and Auditability
- Audit Logging via APIM:
- APIM ensures that all access to BLOB Storage is logged and traceable, meeting GDPR and FCA requirements for data access transparency.
- Data Retention Policies:
- Implement data retention policies for BLOB Storage through APIM, ensuring that files are retained or deleted in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Other considerations:
1. Architecture Overview
New Context:
- Private Integration:
- The integration of PowerApps with backend Azure services (AI Search, Cosmos DB, and BLOB Storage) will be secured within a private Azure Virtual Network (VNet). This ensures that communication between PowerApps and Azure services remains internal, preventing exposure to the public internet.
Key Enhancements:
- VNet Integration:
- Configure Azure services (AI Search, Cosmos DB, and BLOB Storage) within the VNet. Ensure that PowerApps can securely connect to these resources through the VNet, using private endpoints or service endpoints.
- Azure Subnet Delegation:
- Implement Azure subnet delegation to manage outbound traffic from PowerApps, ensuring that it is routed securely through the VNet.
Patterns:
- VNet Integration: Secure and private connectivity between PowerApps and Azure services via VNet.
- Private Endpoints: Use private endpoints to restrict access to Azure services to the VNet, preventing exposure to the public internet.
2. Data Flow
New Context:
- Azure Services Integration:
- PowerApps will connect to Azure AI Search, Cosmos DB, and BLOB Storage through secure connections managed by the VNet. This ensures that all data interactions are conducted within a secure and private environment.
Key Enhancements:
- Secure Data Flow:
- Ensure all data exchanges between PowerApps and Azure services are encrypted and occur within the VNet. Use private DNS zones to resolve service endpoints privately within the VNet.
- Data Minimization and Encryption:
- Apply data minimization techniques by ensuring only necessary data is retrieved or stored in Cosmos DB and BLOB Storage. Encrypt data at rest in BLOB Storage and Cosmos DB, as well as data in transit between these services and PowerApps.
Patterns:
- End-to-End Encryption: Ensure encryption of data at rest and in transit, including within the VNet.
- Private DNS Resolution: Use private DNS zones to resolve Azure services within the VNet, ensuring secure and private connectivity.
3. Security
New Context:
- Enhanced Security:
- The use of Azure VNet with subnet delegation significantly enhances the security posture by eliminating the need for public internet access, aligning with enterprise security policies.
Key Enhancements:
- Access Control:
- Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC) for PowerApps and Azure resources. Ensure that access to Cosmos DB and BLOB Storage is limited to authorized users and applications only.
- Network Security Groups (NSGs):
- Use NSGs to define and enforce security rules at the subnet level, controlling inbound and outbound traffic to and from the VNet.
- Threat Protection:
- Enable Azure Defender for Cosmos DB and BLOB Storage to provide advanced threat protection and monitoring.
Patterns:
- RBAC with Least Privilege: Enforce strict access control to Azure resources.
- NSG Configuration: Use NSGs to manage traffic within the VNet, ensuring only authorized communication.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Implement Azure Defender to monitor and protect against threats.
4. Networking
New Context:
- VNet Integration:
- The introduction of VNet integration ensures that all network traffic between PowerApps and Azure services is kept within the private network, improving security and compliance.
Key Enhancements:
- VNet Peering:
- If needed, implement VNet peering to allow communication between the VNet hosting PowerApps and other VNets hosting additional enterprise resources.
- DDoS Protection:
- Leverage Azure DDoS Protection to protect against potential distributed denial of service attacks targeting the VNet and its resources.
Patterns:
- VNet Peering: Secure communication across VNets if required.
- DDoS Protection: Ensure Azure VNet is protected against DDoS attacks.
5. Monitoring and Logging
New Context:
- Comprehensive Monitoring:
- Monitoring within the VNet is crucial to ensure that all activities are compliant with PRA, GDPR, and FCA regulations, and that any suspicious behavior is detected and addressed promptly.
Key Enhancements:
- Azure Monitor and Log Analytics:
- Use Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to collect and analyze logs from PowerApps, Cosmos DB, and BLOB Storage. Monitor for any anomalies in data access patterns or network traffic.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):
- Integrate with a SIEM solution to aggregate and analyze security logs, providing real-time visibility into the security posture of the entire system.
Patterns:
- Continuous Compliance Monitoring: Use Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to ensure ongoing compliance.
- SIEM Integration: Centralize and analyze security logs for comprehensive threat detection.
6. Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity
New Context:
- Disaster Recovery Planning:
- Ensure that all Azure services, including Cosmos DB and BLOB Storage, have appropriate disaster recovery plans in place, including geo-redundant backups within the VNet context.
Key Enhancements:
- VNet Backup Strategy:
- Implement regular backups of all data stored in Cosmos DB and BLOB Storage. Ensure these backups are geo-redundant and stored within a secure VNet.
- DR Drills:
- Conduct regular disaster recovery drills to test the recovery process for services within the VNet. Document these drills as part of compliance reporting.
Patterns:
- Geo-Redundant Backups within VNet: Ensure backups are secure and geographically redundant within the VNet.
- Regular DR Drills: Regularly test and document disaster recovery plans.
7. Compliance and Auditability
New Context:
- Regulatory Compliance:
- The integration of PowerApps with Azure services through a VNet must maintain compliance with PRA, GDPR, and FCA regulations, ensuring that all data processing activities are secure and auditable.
Key Enhancements:
- Data Subject Rights Management:
- Ensure that PowerApps, when interacting with Cosmos DB and BLOB Storage, can facilitate data subject requests (e.g., data access, deletion) in compliance with GDPR.
- Regulatory Reporting:
- Use Power BI to generate real-time compliance reports based on data stored and processed within the VNet. Ensure that these reports are accessible for audits and meet the requirements of PRA and FCA.
Patterns:
- Data Subject Rights Management: Automate GDPR compliance processes within the VNet context.
- Automated Regulatory Reporting: Use Power BI for real-time reporting, ensuring compliance with PRA and FCA.