Companies are constantly striving to improve their business performance in order to respond to the harsh business environment such as dynamic consumer trends and rising competition. They are investing in building a new and innovative digital frontier that will enable them to deliver a great end-user experience. In this regard, the shifting of enterprise systems to technology is probably the biggest digital transformation of today’s business. But, as the saying goes, good things always have a price, the same goes with this change. For business growth, you need to protect the process of file sharing for business.
Secure file sharing refers to the transfer of files between users and companies using a secure environment. So, the protection against hackers and viruses provides a reliable way to share your private information. A secure system ensures that confidential information is passed on to the right people and protects it in accordance with data protection regulations. This blog covers some fundamentals and best practices around secure file sharing.
What is File Sharing for Business?
Today’s computer systems can store all kinds of files, including documents, songs, videos, entire applications, and more. However, for business needs, you may require to move one or more files from your local computer to another device or a remote location. This process in which you participate is called file sharing. Also, the option of instant file sharing is very beneficial for businesses.
There are some scenarios where the recipient needs to accept the file, but usually, the transfer completes automatically. Secure instant file sharing is typically accomplished via a combination of security protocols that encrypt the information. Also, it requires individuals to enter passwords or other information before accessing the files.
Types of File Sharing Services:
There are many secure file sharing systems with different features, security protocols, prices, and ideal use cases. Here are some of the common solutions companies use to ensure secure file sharing based on their specific needs and requirements.
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P2P Networks
Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing can still be unpopular in relation to pirated music, but this format is actually a very secure way to share private files within a group. Instead of using a central server, P2P file transfers are shared between small groups of network connections. This keeps the file private, but often slows down and isn’t useful for collaborative projects.
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FTP
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a common way to move large files from one location to another. The user selects the file they want to share and adds it to the FTP interface. On the receiving side, the user can access the file from the FTP server site after entering the password if required.
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USB Storage
Physical drives are a good option for large files, but the offline transfer process can only be performed on one device at a time. Plus, USB devices do not keep a record of the device to which the data was transferred. Physical storage options also carry the additional risk of misplacement, theft, or damage to the device itself, making it impossible to retrieve data.
Top Risk of File-Sharing Technology
Unfortunately, the process of file sharing also involves multiple security risks. Some of them are the following:
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Lack of Control on Data
The disadvantage of most consumer file-sharing options is that the enterprise has no control over the data it needs. When employees download these consumer tools and use them to exchange with external entities, they retrieve business information outside of the organization’s IT domain.
That is, it is also outside the control of IT for security and integration reasons. In addition, as employees use these personal file-sharing tools on their work-related devices, many companies have encountered security vulnerabilities. And opening up another vulnerability in their corporate networks.
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Malware Attack
Ransomware attacks have been on the rise for a few years, so, secure file-sharing services have become very vital. And the first step in creating a secure file sharing environment within your company is to ensure that every employee is well aware of the risks involved when sensitive data goes out of their business systems and into the wrong hands. Furthermore, they should also be educated what are dos and don’ts of secure file sharing for business.
