Security and data handling
Security means controlling who can access business systems, what automations can do, and how sensitive data is handled during a project.
How access is handled
Credentials are passwords, API keys, OAuth connections, or other secrets that let software access an account. I ask clients to use native app connections, scoped API keys, or temporary access where possible. Credentials should be shared through secure tools, not pasted into chat or public documents.
Review gates
A review gate is a required human approval step before an automation sends a message, updates a critical record, or affects a customer. Client-facing workflows are designed with review gates when a wrong action could create business risk.
AI-assisted workflows
AI-assisted workflows use language models to draft, classify, summarize, or extract information. These workflows are scoped to the task, tested with sample records, and kept away from blind auto-send behavior unless the client explicitly approves the risk.
Logging and failure handling
Logging means recording what a workflow did so failures can be found and fixed. Automations should expose success, failure, skipped records, and manual-review states clearly enough that an operator can understand what happened without reading code.
Data minimization
Data minimization means using only the information needed for the workflow. I avoid copying full exports, transcripts, raw lead files, or private client material into public pages or shared documents unless the client asks for that exact artifact.
What I avoid
I avoid unrestricted agents that can act across a business without narrow permissions, unclear approval points, and visible logs. Practical automation should reduce repeated work while keeping sensitive actions understandable and reversible.