Utilizing federation relationship settings among different systems

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining, for each pair of HCI systems where each pair includes a first HCI system coupled to another HCI system, a federation relationship setting that corresponds to each pair. The federation relationship settings are used to control a flow of data, as well as to control a flow of workload scheduling, between the first HCI system and the other HCI systems in the respective pairs. Moreover, determining a federation relationship setting that corresponds to a pair includes: determining whether a risk score which corresponds to the pair is outside a predetermined range. In response to determining that the risk score is outside the predetermined range, a restrictive federation relationship setting is assigned to the pair, and in response to determining that the risk score is not outside the predetermined range, a permissive federation relationship setting is assigned to the pair.