What is a connector
A connector is a secure link between Rival and one of your systems — Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and more. Connectors are how agents and workflows read from, and act inside, the tools your team already uses.
Connectors are the communication bridges that let agents and workflows safely read data and perform actions directly inside the tools your team uses every day.
The security boundary of the platform
Section titled “The security boundary of the platform”Every interaction an agent or workflow performs inside your enterprise systems happens through an authenticated connector. That makes connectors the foundational security boundary of the platform:
- Controlled system access — by managing connectors, workspace administrators determine exactly which corporate databases, file repositories, and messaging platforms AI can reach.
- Unified authentication — connectors authenticate using enterprise-grade standards such as OAuth 2.0 or dedicated service accounts, ensuring encrypted data transfer.
- Scoped permissions — a connector only grants access to the specific API endpoints and permission levels authorized during setup, preventing unauthorized access or data exposure.
Why connectors matter in the enterprise
Section titled “Why connectors matter in the enterprise”Connecting AI to internal data requires strict governance to avoid data leaks or policy violations:
- Centralized administration — administrators decide which connectors are approved, how authentication is established, and which teams or users may use them.
- Policy enforcement — no agent or workflow can interact with enterprise data without passing through an approved, policy-checked connector.
- Audit transparency — connector interactions generate complete audit logs, capturing every read, write, and API call for compliance reporting.
A quick example: a governed Salesforce integration
Section titled “A quick example: a governed Salesforce integration”- Central authentication — an IT administrator authenticates the Salesforce connector once at the organization level, defining read and write permission boundaries.
- Controlled access — approved sales agents can now read pipeline data to generate weekly summaries for leadership.
- Restricted deployment — if an unapproved agent or unauthorized user attempts to reach Salesforce data, the request is blocked automatically, because access to that connector was never granted.
A single, centrally governed connection enables safe, reusable automation across the entire sales department.
Connectors vs. functions vs. workflows
Section titled “Connectors vs. functions vs. workflows”| Platform element | Primary role | Real-world example |
|---|---|---|
| Connector | Secure integration link to an enterprise system | Google Docs |
| Function | Single action capability within that connected system | ”Draft Google Doc” |
| Workflow | Multi-step process combining triggers, functions, and logic | Automated meeting briefing pipeline |
Related
Section titled “Related”- The full Connectors section → Connectors overview
- How admins configure integrations → Connecting your systems
- Explore single action capabilities → What is a function
- Quick lookups → Glossary