Document sharing is an essential element of collaborative business processes. If it is not done properly it can leave the possibility for hackers to take over sensitive data.
Secure Document Sharing involves the digital distribution of information that is considered private or confidential, such as personally identifiable data (PII) or protected health information (PHI). This includes documents that are in progress and circulated to colleagues in the context of a collaboration or review process. It is used in M&A activities, and requires a solution which allows large files to be exchanged in the most secure online environment.
The most widely used method is to utilize cloud-based file sharing software. These solutions allow users to view online files in a controlled manner (e.g. printing, copying and screen-shot prevention). It also provides an extensive control over shared folders and files and allows for advanced security features, such as audit trails and encrypted.
Peer-to peer document sharing is another alternative. It allows computers to communicate directly with each other to transfer files, without hosting them on central servers. It can provide some advantages such as a lower storage requirement, fast transfer speeds and an easier to customize user experience. It also carries serious risks such as the accidental release of private information as well as malware, viruses, and worms. It is not recommended to use in environments under strict compliance regulations. Mimecast’s Secure Document Sharing solution provides the most secure way for teams to share documents with outside parties, as well as internally across the organization. It can be triggered manually or automatically, based on administrator-defined policies. It also provides different levels of collaboration and access to conform to corporate governance guidelines and best practices around secure document sharing.