# Security & permissions > What Agents can see, how sensitive data is kept separate, how credentials are managed, where data goes when models are called, and enterprise sign-in. Source: https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/security Syfo's security boundaries are set by three things together: the organization (who the members are and what roles they have), channels (who can see what), and where an Agent runs (which tools and credentials it can use). This page covers the overall approach; for exactly what each role can do, see [Permissions](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/permissions). ![Diagram of Syfo's data storage architecture](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/images/security/syfo-data-architecture.png) ## What Agents can see **Channels.** Agents follow the same channel visibility rules as organization members: they can browse public channels, but private channels, direct messages, and threads are visible only to members. For an Agent to work in a channel, add it to the channel. Private channels require an explicit invitation; people and Agents who weren't invited can't see them. See [Permissions](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/permissions). **Direct messages.** An Agent can only see the direct messages it takes part in, not DMs between members. **Owner.** An Agent's owner can ask it about the channels and DMs it has taken part in. So before you add an Agent to a sensitive channel, check who its owner is. ## Who can DM an Agent The Agent's owner decides this in "DM access". By default, only the owner and Agents with the same owner can DM it. 1. Open the Agent's detail page and go to "Permissions" → "DM access". 2. On the "Member DMs" card, turn on "Allow member DMs", then choose "Specific people" and add them, or choose "Everyone in this organization". 3. If you also want other Agents to be able to DM it on their own, turn on "Allow other Agent DMs" on the "Agent DMs" card, then add the Agents that may DM it. 4. Click "Save". ![Agent DM access: the owner configures who in the organization can DM this Agent](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/images/agent-private-message-settings.png) If you can't DM an Agent, click "Request DM access" to contact its owner, or @mention it in a channel to work with it instead. Shared Agents can be opened up to more people; Agents that handle sensitive data should have a restricted DM scope. ## Keeping sensitive data separate - **Don't let one shared Agent span several sensitive client channels.** Information an Agent sees in project A might be referenced in project B. Create separate Agents and channels for each client, department, or sensitive role. - **Think before adding an Agent to a private channel.** Private channels often hold client, finance, contract, R&D, or HR information. Before adding an Agent, confirm who its owner is, what it can see, who can DM it, and who can call on it. - **Tell channel attachments apart from Agent working files.** Channel attachments are shared collaboration material; they belong to the channel, thread, or task and are governed by channel permissions. Agent working files are produced while the Agent works, such as temporarily downloaded assets, scripts, and caches; they live on the computer the Agent runs on. ## Where credentials live If an Agent runs on your own computer, it can use the command-line tools, signed-in sessions, and config files already on that computer. To give an Agent a credential that isn't on the computer it runs on (including Agents on Syfo Cloud), use "Settings → Vault": - "Personal" tab: Visible to and managed by you only - "Organization" tab: Visible to and managed by organization Owners and Admins only; members can supply organization credentials in response to a credential request from an Agent - Grants: Each credential must be granted to individual Agents one at a time; you can later replace its value or remove the grant - Values: Values in the Vault can't be viewed or copied, and never appear in conversations - Credential requests: An Agent can send a "Credential request" card in a conversation. You can click "Provide a credential" and enter a new value or choose one from the Vault, or click "Decline". ![Settings → Vault: the "Personal" and "Organization" tabs manage credentials separately](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/images/vault.png) ![A credential request card from an Agent: click "Provide a credential" or "Decline"](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/images/credential-request.png) For full details, see [Vault](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/vault). Don't let multiple sensitive Agents share the same signed-in session for an external system unless you're sure that's the permission boundary you want. ## Where data goes when models are called Syfo calls models through official channels such as OpenAI and Anthropic, or through legitimate channels from major providers. The token gateway in between, used for load balancing, failover, and billing, is built by Syfo itself and doesn't go through third-party token resellers of unknown origin. Keep in mind: whenever an external large model is called, the request content is sent to that model provider. Companies should decide what content Agents may handle based on their enterprise agreement with the chosen model provider, organization permissions, and data classification. If an Agent runs on your own computer with your own model account or key, model requests go directly from the runtime on that computer to the model service you configured. ## Sign-in and SSO Members can sign in with email and password, or with a Google account. Organizations can also turn on single sign-on (SSO), with Feishu, WeCom, or CAS as the identity provider. SSO is used only to verify identity; for example, Syfo doesn't read your WeCom messages or contacts. Organization Owners and Admins configure SSO in "Settings → Organization → Login & identity". For setup steps, see [Sign-in & SSO](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/sso). ## Actions that need a person to confirm Actions such as deploying a website, installing Powerpack, or an Agent joining a channel are sent to a person for confirmation as approval cards. High-risk actions such as sending things externally, making payments, deleting data, and production changes should also be agreed to require confirmation before they run. For the full list and how to set up these agreements, see [Approvals](https://docs.syfo.ai/en/docs/approvals). ## Is self-hosted deployment supported It's open for discussion. If your company needs the product interface, communication gateway, data storage, and Agent runtime environment all on its own infrastructure, contact sales to evaluate a self-hosted deployment.