Document sharing is an essential element of collaborative business processes. If not done correctly, this can open the door for hackers to take sensitive data.
Secure Document Sharing involves the electronic distribution of information classified as confidential or private, such as personally identifiable information (PII), or protected health information (PHI). This includes documents that are being developed and distributed to colleagues as part of a collaboration or review process. It is utilized in M&A activities, and requires a solution that allows large documents to be exchanged within the most secure online environment.
The most commonly used method is to make use of cloud-based file sharing services. They permit users to access online files in a controlled manner (e.g. printing, copying and screenshot prevention). It also gives you granular access control for shared folders and files, and allows for advanced security options such as audit trails and encryption.
Another option is peer-to -peer (P2P) document sharing, which enables computers to connect with each other directly to share files without hosting them on an centralized server. It comes with some advantages, such as lower storage requirements, higher transfer speeds as well as a more customized experience. But it also comes with serious dangers, including accidental publishing of personal information, malware, viruses and worms. It is not recommended to be used in environments with strict compliance rules. Mimecast’s Secure Document Sharing solution provides a highly secure way for teams to share files with other parties, as well as internally across the organization. It can be triggered manually or automatically, based on administrator-defined policies. It also allows for different levels of access and collaboration, to conform to corporate governance guidelines and best practices regarding secure document sharing.