Feb 26, 2014

Business file sharing is becoming a technology increasingly demanded by employees across a variety of industries, but there are still concerns over data security and risk mitigation. While managers are placing more focus on collaboration efforts, many are still hesitant to implement file sharing solutions due to the potential risks involved. As the services evolve, decision makers will need to consider the best way to implement them into the infrastructure and enable staff to use their sharing system effectively. This will give way to a more mobile, productive workforce than that available in a traditional setting.

More organizations are adopting file sharing programs to maximize their benefits and provide collaboration opportunities for employees. Information Age noted that information often has to be shared outside of the office’s walls, but it’s creating significant challenges in how to secure devices that aren’t owned by the company. For this, decision makers are turning to encryption capabilities and software with remote wiping to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data. These sophisticated security tools will allow employees to safely store their documents. However, if workers are using personal, consumer accounts, it makes sharing business files a risk.

“Outside of implementing a mobile device and file-sharing policy, businesses can implement technology solutions that enhance these policies to protect their data and intellectual property against all forms of data loss,” according to the source.

Decreasing incorrect sharing practices
If an organization doesn’t set up a corporate file sharing policy, employees will often use their own accounts for transferring documents, which could open up significant vulnerabilities. According to a report by Globalscape, 45 percent of employees are using consumer sites for file sharing, while 63 percent have remote storage devices to transfer work files. Additionally, 60 percent of staff have admitted to using personal email to send sensitive documents and half of respondents use the same password for multiple accounts. These approaches are not conducive to secure file sharing and will leave the organization open to data breaches and substantial financial losses. As the demand for file transfer services increase, it will be integral for businesses to establish a policy and enforce security best practices.

“Employees need to understand that the tools they use to send files and data in their personal lives aren’t acceptable in the workplace,” Globalscape CEO James Bindseil told SCMagazine. “If enterprises want to have any hope of managing and securing the sensitive data leaving their organizations, they also need to provide solutions that easily integrate into the daily routines of their employees.”