Introduction
Microsoft SharePoint serves as a powerful platform for collaboration and information management within organisations. However, when it comes to handling sensitive data through internal forms, ensuring security is paramount. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the best practices for creating secure internal forms in SharePoint, equipping IT professionals with the knowledge to enhance data protection.
Best Practices for Securing Internal Forms
1. Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Define user roles and permissions to restrict access to sensitive forms based on job responsibilities.
2. Enable Data Encryption: Utilise SharePoint’s encryption capabilities to safeguard data both at rest and in transit.
3. Utilise Form Validation: Set up validation rules to ensure that only accurate and complete data is submitted through the forms.
Step-by-Step Guide on Implementing Security Measures
1. Define Security Requirements: Identify the types of data being collected and determine the level of security required.
2. Configure Permissions: Assign permissions to users and groups based on the principle of least privilege.
3. Enable Versioning: Activate versioning for form libraries to track changes and revert to previous versions if needed.
4. Enable Audit Logging: Monitor and log user activities to track who accessed the forms and when.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Overlooking Regular Security Audits: Regularly audit and update security measures to address evolving threats and vulnerabilities.
2. Neglecting User Training: Educate users on security best practices to prevent inadvertent data breaches.
3. Ignoring Software Updates: Stay current with SharePoint updates to patch security vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.
Case Studies Showcasing Successful Implementation
Case Study 1: Company X implemented RBAC and data encryption for their internal forms, reducing data breaches by 30%.
Case Study 2: Organisation Y utilised form validation and audit logging, enhancing data accuracy and accountability among users.
By following these best practices, implementing step-by-step security measures, avoiding common pitfalls, and drawing insights from successful case studies, IT professionals can create secure internal forms in SharePoint that protect sensitive data and bolster organisational security.

DrayTek Vigor 2962 2.5Gb Ethernet Dual-WAN Broadband Firewall Router, 200 VPN Tunnels, 20 VLANS, QOS, Remote Management, Load Balancing
High Performance Multi-WAN Router - The Vigor 2962 makes full use of FTTP Fibre Broadband at up to 2.2Gbps throughput for single or multi-WAN configurations. With Quality of Service, Firewall and Content Filtering.
Buy Now on Amazon
NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK763S) , Mesh Router & 2 Extenders , Cover Every Room, Up To 6,000 Sq Ft , Improve WiFi Speeds up to 5.4 Gbps & 75 devices , Simple App Set Up
WiFI mesh coverage of up to 6,000 sq ft and up to 75 devices, With each satellite (sold separately) you can extend the range by up to 2,000 sq ft
Buy Now on Amazon
DrayTek Vigor 2865Lax-5G Ethernet Router, WiFi 6 AX3000 Wireless and 5G Failover, Integrated 5G Modem, 5+1 GbE LAN Ports with VLANs, VDSL
VDSL and Ethernet Load Balancer - Connect the Vigor 2865 to Superfast Fibre with the integrated VDSL modem. Use the Ethernet WAN with Cable and Ultrafast FTTP. Load Balance multiple connections to boost performance.
Buy Now on Amazon
TP-Link Archer BE550 Router WiFi 7 BE9300Mbps, Tri-Band WiFi Router, 2.5G Ports,USB Port,Maximized Coverage,VPN Router, Parental Control, HomeShield Security, Private IoT Network,Easy Setup,EasyMesh
Wi-Fi 7 Routers: With powerful Wi-Fi 7 performance, lightning-fast wired connections, and brand-new design
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-253A-4G 2 Bay NAS Enclosure with 4GB RAM - Black (GDPR Compliant)
NAS and iSCSI-SAN unified storage solution for server virtualization
Buy Now on Amazon
WD 16TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra 2-bay NAS - Network Attached Storage RAID, file sync, streaming, media server, with WD Red drives
Centralised network storage: Organise your entire media collection, photos and files in one central, network location
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DX517 5 Bay Desktop Network Attached Storage Expansion Enclosure, Black
Online volume expansion
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-431XeU-8G 4 Bay Short-depth Rackmount NAS Enclosure with 10GbE SFP+ & 8GB RAM
The short depth design is suitable for installing in smaller racks or space-constrained locations
Buy Now on Amazon
Seagate 10 TB IronWolf NAS 3.5 Inch Hard Drive ST10000VN0008 (SATA 6 Gb/s/256 MB/7200 RPM)
Model Number: ST10000VN0008
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-673A-8G 6 Bay Desktop NAS Enclosure - 8GB RAM, AMD Ryzen Quad-core 2.2 GHz Processor - with 2.5GbE connectivity & supporting PCIe expansion
8GB DDR4 RAM (2 x SODIMM slots, max. 64GB, optional ECC RAM support)
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DS1621+ 48TB 6 Bay Desktop NAS Solution, installed with 6 x 8TB Western Digital Red Plus Drives
Accelerated Performance: 174% higher 4K random read IOPS and 76% faster sequential write speeds compared to its predecessor
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DS1823xs+ 8 Bay NAS Desktop: High-Performance Storage Solution
Powerful Performance - Over 3,100/2,600 MB/s sequential read/write throughput and over 173,100/80,800 random read/write IOPS2 support heavier applications
Buy Now on Amazon