Data Reuse Pitfalls: Not Understanding Data Export Controls

Power BI offers analytics superpowers, but with great data insight comes great responsibility around governing access and exports properly. 

This blog covers the complexities of Power BI settings, permissions, and sharing practices, offering straightforward tips to sidestep common mistakes.

Let’s quickly recap the key pieces impacting data export controls in Power BI:

1. Tenant Settings are the global security ground rules like default permissions, policies, and governance rules applied to the entire organization. Laying out any export or access restrictions is crucial for getting everyone on the same page.
2. Report and Dataset Permissions allow granular control over who can view or edit specific reports or datasets. Securing access to sensitive information is facilitated through the implementation of stringent regulations. Thoughtful administration of these permissions plays a role in upholding security, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding privacy.
3. App and Workspace Sharing enable Power BI’s collaborative features. Putting proper access guards on apps and workspaces is essential to prevent unauthorized use and maintain data integrity. It is important to note that creators of reports can grant access to underlying data, even in cases where administrative export settings are restricted.

How can you avoid dealing with any risks associated with these settings? 

• Establish transparent communication regarding tenant-level export guidelines to ensure alignment on permissible actions.
•  Inform developers in advance about these rules and situations requiring export limitations. 
• Create detailed guidelines outlining when exports should be disabled, accompanied by practical examples for clarity.

Too often, the rules around data export controls are not spelled out, and guidance on restricting exports falls through the cracks, which can be confusing when building reports and apps.

In summary, handling export controls takes a comprehensive view across tenant settings, report permissions, and app sharing. Avoiding pitfalls in governance framework implementation relies heavily on clear communication, mutual understanding of expectations, and strong guidelines within organizations.

FREE eBOOK

7 Costly Mistakes of Data Reuse, and How to Avoid Them

Dive into the potential risks associated with data reuse and equips you with strategies to avoid making them.