Microsoft AI agent governance checklist
Published on by Noodle Agents
Last reviewed on
Governing AI is often discussed in abstract terms. This checklist brings it down to reality. Before you deploy an agent, you must answer these specific governance questions about identity, access, and logging for that specific workflow.
Identity and Access
An agent must have a defined identity. It should not operate anonymously or use a blanket administrative account. Ensure the agent authenticates via Microsoft Entra and is assigned the absolute minimum permissions necessary to read the source context and write the review ready draft.
Data Boundaries
Define exactly which SharePoint sites, Teams channels, or dataverse tables the agent is permitted to read. Crucially, confirm that existing Microsoft Purview data loss prevention policies apply to the agent's identity, preventing it from processing restricted information.
The Human Approval Gate
Identify the named individual responsible for the workflow outcome. The agent must route its completed legwork to this person. Establish the mechanism for approval, whether that is a draft document awaiting review or a structured approval request in Teams.
Logging and Traceability
Every action the agent takes must be logged. You must be able to trace which source documents the agent read to formulate a specific draft. Ensure diagnostic logging is enabled and retained according to your standard compliance policies.
Workflow Governance Checklist
- Is the agent identity configured using least privilege in Microsoft Entra?
- Are the data boundaries explicitly mapped to specific SharePoint or dataverse locations?
- Is there a named human reviewer mandated in the workflow?
- Is diagnostic logging active and retained securely?
Limitations
This checklist covers the baseline requirements for a single workflow. Complex enterprise deployments may require additional compliance and legal review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the agent need a separate Microsoft license?
Licensing requirements depend on the specific architecture and whether you are using Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI, or another service. We clarify this during discovery.
Can we restrict the agent from reading HR documents?
Yes. By properly configuring the agent's Entra ID permissions and respecting Purview labels, the agent is structurally prevented from accessing restricted sites.