How to Send Documents Securely Online

Businesses face many options and challenges when figuring out how to send documents securely online. While consumer-centric options may prove tempting with their ease of use and low cost, they may also expose organizations to otherwise avoidable security risks. Here’s a closer look at the challenges of sharing files securely in business, and how to identify a cloud-based option suitable for a professional environment.

The Challenges of Sharing Files Securely

Employees need to share files between themselves to get work done. However, finding a file sharing option can prove tricky. Unlike private consumers, companies face a load of extra challenges and requirements they must consider. Two prominent challenges relate to governance and include:

1. Staying Compliant

Businesses that handle healthcare, legal, or financial information will fall under legal compliance requirements regarding how they handle their data. Among the many regulations may include requirements for data storage or transmission.  

2. Maintaining Control

Businesses may struggle with data control once they upload their documents to a free file sharing option. This may include access control, where anyone with the correct credentials can access file sharing sites no matter where they are. It may also include version control, where employees may download and upload copies, making changes along the way until confusion reigns about which version is the most current.

Why Businesses Should Beware Free Filing Sharing Options

Free file sharing options abound on the internet, but not all are created equal. Whether using a service designed for sharing files or simply sending email attachments, businesses need to beware of the risks of free options. For example:

·        Appropriate data safeguards may not exist. Even services that the public perceives as secure can and do get hacked. Often, these attacks aren’t discovered until years later, when millions of accounts have already been compromised.

·        Consumer-centric options lack the features businesses need. Making do with technology not meant for business can hamper productivity, leading to lost revenue.

·        The lack of visibility in public clouds can open a business up to threats. The cloud’s nebulous nature is a double-edged sword. While it plays a role in keeping data secure, it also means that businesses don’t know what’s stored around them and whether it puts them at risk.

How to Identify a Secure File Sharing Service for Business

A secure file exchange service designed for business balances ease of use with the data security that businesses need. Look for an option that offers:

·        Self-hosted files. Control access, versions, and data ownership by choosing an option that allows for remote access without handing over documents to a third party.

·        Advanced permission controls. Ensure that only those who need to access files and folders can do so. The service should be able to let admins disable downloads, designate guest users, and more.

·        The ability to transfer large files via web links. Eliminate the need for email attachments or breaking files up with a service that can handle large file sizes easily.

·        Co-editing abilities. Control versions and enhance collaboration with co-editing abilities in a secure environment.

Discover How to Send Documents Securely Online with CentreStack

Businesses wondering how to send documents securely online may be tempted by the many free options available. However, these options come with risks because they’re meant for private users and not businesses. Don’t take any chances. Get a solution that empowers employees to do their job quickly and securely with CentreStack.

Discover secure document sharing when you try CentreStack for free.