Third-party Application Security

New Controls on Microsoft Third-Party Apps, Plug-ins, and AI Bots

As part of KAUST’s ongoing efforts to strengthen our digital collaboration environment and comply with Information Security and Data Privacy policies, Information Technology is introducing new controls for third-party app add-ins, plug-ins, and AI bots.

These controls will be implemented in phases, beginning with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (including Outlook, Teams, Power Automate, and other Microsoft apps), and later extended to additional KAUST platforms. The goal is to protect institutional data, reduce security risks, and ensure that only safe, approved tools are used.

What This Means for You

All native Microsoft apps will remain available (including Power BI, Planner, SharePoint, Lists, OneNote, and others).

Starting Thursday, October 23, 2025, only KAUST IT-managed or supported third-party app add-ins and plug-ins will continue to be enabled in Microsoft 365. These include apps listed in the IT Software Catalog, the IT Service Catalog, the Software Center on Windows, and the Self-Service app on macOS.

Non–KAUST IT-managed, unsupported, or high-risk third-party apps (for example, Read.ai or Whiteboard.ai) will be blocked from use.

You can view the full list of KAUST IT-managed and supported third-party app plug-ins that will continue to be enabled in Microsoft 365 below.

What You Need to Do Now

Review your current apps: Visit Manage your apps in Office.com to view any connected apps or plug-ins.
Check the permitted list: Confirm that the apps you use appear in the approved list below.
Plan ahead: If you use an app that is not permitted, make arrangements to switch to an IT-supported alternative or discontinue use before October 23, when those apps will be disabled.
Request an app review: If your work relies on a third-party app that is not listed, complete the App Review Form. This helps KAUST IT assess your needs and either provide a secure alternative or review the app for compliance and necessity.

Approved Applications, Plug-ins, and AI Bots

These applications have been reviewed and approved for continued use in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem at KAUST.

Use your browser search to find an item (Ctrl + F on Windows or Command + F on macOS), or browse alphabetically below.

Application	Vendor
A
AVA	AvePoint, Inc.
Abi	Beroe
Additio	Additio
Adobe Creative Cloud	Adobe
Alli	allganize
Ambr	Ambr
ArcGIS	Esri, Inc.
Arist	Arist Holdings, Inc.
Asa	Two App Studio Pte Ltd.
Asana	Asana
Aster	Entrup
Atom	Atomicwork Inc
B
Base	BaseHQ Inc.
BioRender	Science Suite INC.
Blink	BlinkOps
Blocks	Property Blocks s.r.o.
Box	Box
BrowserStack	BrowserStack Inc
Buddy	Microsoft Teams Ecosystem
C
COR	COR Global Ltd.
Calendly	Calendly
Canva	Canva
Certifi	Optimus Information Inc.
Cisco Call	Cisco
Cisco Webex Meetings	Cisco Webex Meetings
Clari	Clari
Class	Class Technologies Inc.
ClickUp	ClickUp
Clio	Clio
Connect	C3IT Software Solutions
Crystal	iGenius
D
Data Hu	北京九麒信息技术有限公司
Disco	Discotheque Inc.
Docusign	Docusign
Dropbox	Dropbox, Inc.
E
EXPLORE	EXPLORE
Edpuzzle	Edpuzzle
Eva	OutThink Ltd
Evernote	Evernote
eStream	Planet eStream
F
Frame	Virbela
Freshdesk	Freshworks INC
G
GitHub	GitHub
Guide	Abtis-GmbH
H
Hive	Hive
HubSpot	HubSpot
Hype	hyrd GmbH
I
Infinity	Infracom Communications AB
M
MNI	MNI Markets
MODA	MOZZAIK365
MailChimp	Microsoft Teams Ecosystem
Meltwater	Meltwater, Inc.
Mentimeter	Mentimeter AB
Mo	THANKSBOX LIMITED
N
NE	NE
Navigator	FiveP Australia Pty Ltd
P
Procore	Procore, Inc.
R
RSS	Microsoft Corporation
Reach	LiveTiles
Resolve	KnBases LLC
S
SAP Concur	SAP SE
SAP Joule	SAP SE
SAP S/4HANA	SAP SE
SAP SuccessFactors	SAP SE
Salesforce	Salesforce
Sana	Sana Labs AB
Sine	Sine.co
Slido	Slido
Smartsheet	Smartsheet
Structural	Structural Inc.
Success	Pudding App, Inc
T
Tab	Contoso
TeamViewer	TeamViewer
Text	Approved Contact
Trello	Atlassian.com
Turnitin	Turnitin
V
Vimeo	Vimeo
W
Wave	Grandstream Networks, Inc.
Y
Yo	Microsoft Teams Ecosystem
YouTube	Microsoft Corporation
Z
Zap	Zapiens Technologies SL
Zapier	Zapier Team
Zendesk	SoftServe Inc. Office Store
Zoom	Zoom Video Communications, Inc

Learn More About Third-Party App Security

Curious how free or third-party apps can put your data at risk? Check out these quick reads to learn how to spot risky apps and keep your information secure:

What’s Next

A follow-up announcement will be shared before October 23, providing more detail and clarification on the implementation process. Thank you for staying proactive and helping us keep KAUST’s digital environment secure.

Quick Links

Contact Us

+966 (12) 808-0910

vita.kaust.edu.sa

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