Microsoft Forms Security: A Deep Dive into Protecting Sensitive Data
Data security is very important for organizations in every industry. Whether in healthcare, education, or business, protecting sensitive information is not just a good practice; it is often required by law.
With the rising threat of cybercrime – 14 account breaches occurred every second in 2022 alone – businesses cannot afford to ignore the security measures of their tools, including form-building applications.
Microsoft Forms is part of the Office 365 suite and is commonly used for collecting data. Its strong security features make it a good choice for organizations that handle sensitive information.
However, Microsoft Forms isn’t the only option available. For businesses that need a secure and scalable solution, 123FormBuilder Enterprise offers a strong alternative designed for specific enterprise needs.
The Need for Security in Form-Building Tools
Organizations today collect a wide range of information through online forms – from customer data and employee feedback to confidential patient or student records. If this data falls into the wrong hands, the financial and reputational consequences can be devastating:
- Financial Costs – Organizations risk fines, legal expenses, and system recovery costs from data breaches.
- Reputational Damage – A history of poor data security erodes customer trust, making it harder to retain and attract clients.
Given the stakes, organizations must take a proactive approach to security for Microsoft Forms. Beyond educating employees and using secure networks, choosing a secure form-building tool is crucial.
Microsoft Forms Security Features
Microsoft Forms ensures the protection of sensitive data with these key security features:
- Data Encryption – All data collected through Microsoft Forms is encrypted at rest and in transit, ensuring that even intercepted data remains indecipherable.
- FERPA Compliance – Designed for education institutions, Microsoft Forms complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), safeguarding students’ records and personally identifiable information (PII).
- HIPAA Compliance – For healthcare organizations, Microsoft Forms meets the standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), ensuring the secure handling of medical data.
- GDPR Compliance – Organizations operating in the European Union benefit from Microsoft Forms’ compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), providing clear guidelines for data protection and sharing.
A Secure Enterprise Alternative: 123FormBuilder Enterprise
While Microsoft Forms provides solid security, 123FormBuilder Enterprise is specifically designed with enterprise-grade security and functionality in mind. This form-building platform offers a wide range of features tailored to meet the most demanding business needs, making it a standout choice for large organizations that require strong data protection, flexibility, and scalability.
Here’s how 123FormBuilder Enterprise ensures data security:
- 256-Bit SSL Encryption – Every form submission is protected with SHA-256 encryption to ensure secure transmission.
- End-to-End Data Encryption – Data is encrypted at rest and in transit, making it virtually unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
- Compliance with Multiple Regulations – From GDPR and HIPAA to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and SOC 2, 123FormBuilder Enterprise simplifies compliance across industries and regions.
- PCI DSS Certification – Payment collection through 123FormBuilder forms adheres to the highest payment card industry (PCI) compliance standards, providing peace of mind for e-commerce and financial organizations.
- Advanced Spam Protection – Features like CAPTCHA and IP restrictions prevent spam submissions, ensuring your data remains clean and actionable.
- Granular Privacy Controls – Organizations can set custom privacy settings for each form, controlling access on an individual or team level.
Why Choose 123FormBuilder Enterprise?
Beyond its exceptional security features, 123FormBuilder Enterprise offers unmatched flexibility and ease of use:
- Form Migration – Existing forms and submission data can be quickly migrated into 123FormBuilder, eliminating the need to start from scratch.
- Customizable Templates – Thousands of templates make creating forms, surveys, and polls that meet specific business needs easy.
- Enterprise-Ready Integrations – Connect your forms to enterprise applications like Salesforce to streamline data workflows.
- Team Collaboration – Features like user role management and approval workflows enable secure team collaboration.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a form-building tool, security should never be an afterthought. Microsoft Forms offers reliable protection and compliance with major data privacy regulations, making it an excellent option for many organizations. However, enterprises that require additional flexibility, scalability, and specialized features should consider 123FormBuilder Enterprise.
With its strong security measures, enterprise-grade compliance, and user-friendly design, 123FormBuilder Enterprise is a comprehensive solution for businesses that prioritize data protection without compromising on functionality.
Whether creating forms from scratch or migrating existing ones, choosing a secure, enterprise-focused tool like 123FormBuilder ensures your data and reputation remain protected. Request a demo today to see how 123FormBuilder can make your business greater!
