Managing Third‑Party Apps Connected to Trinity Accounts
Trinity College has updated how third‑party applications connect to our Microsoft 365 environment, including email, OneDrive, Teams, and calendars.
These changes are part of an ongoing effort to protect institutional data better and ensure that only trusted applications have access to College systems.
What’s Changing
Some applications that connect to Trinity accounts may be restricted, removed, or require approval before use.
As part of this approach:
- Certain apps will no longer be able to connect to Trinity accounts
- New apps may require approval before access is granted
- Existing apps may be reviewed and, if necessary, disabled or removed
Why This Matters
Many third‑party applications request access to Trinity data, such as email, files, or contacts. In some cases, these apps can request broad permissions that allow them to:
- Access data beyond what is needed for their intended function
- Continue accessing data without clear visibility into how it is used or stored
- Operate in ways that could expose institutional information
To reduce these risks, Trinity actively reviews application access and identifies apps with permissions that may be considered high-risk.
When unapproved applications are found to have elevated or sensitive permissions, they may be disabled, reviewed, and, if not approved, removed from the environment.
How Trinity Manages Application Access
Trinity monitors connected applications within its Microsoft environment and evaluates them based on the level of access they request.
- Applications with sensitive or administrative-level permissions are flagged for review
- Unapproved applications may be disabled automatically
- Applications that do not meet Trinity’s standards may be permanently removed
- Approved applications may be re-enabled following review
This process helps ensure that access to institutional data is controlled, appropriate, and aligned with the College’s security and privacy expectations.
What This Means for You
- If a tool you use stops working, it may require review and approval
- You may be asked to request access for new applications before using them with your Trinity account
- Not all third‑party apps will be permitted to connect to College systems
For non-essential applications, consider using a personal (non‑Trinity) account instead of your Trinity account to avoid unintended data exposure.
Learn More
For additional details about how Trinity evaluates and manages application access, and how to request approval for specific tools, please visit: Application Consent and Permissions
