Document sharing is a crucial element of collaborative business processes. If it is not done properly it could leave the open for hackers to steal sensitive files.

Secure Document Sharing is the distribution of data that is considered private or confidential, like personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health information (PHI). This includes documents that are in process and are distributed to colleagues as part of a collaborative or review process. It is often used in M&A activities, and requires a solution that allows large files to be exchanged in an extremely secure online environment.

The most common approach is through cloud-based secure file sharing services that allow users to access their files online in a controlled way (e.g. printing, copying and screening prevention are all standard methods. It also offers access control for shared folders and files. It also allows for advanced security options, like audit trails and encryption.

Another option is peer to peer (P2P) document sharing, which enables computers to connect to one other directly to share files without hosting them on the https://datastorage.blog/why-tracking-due-diligence-documents-is-crucial-for-fundraising/ central server. It offers some benefits such as a lower storage requirement along with speedy transfer speeds and an easier to customize user experience. But it also poses significant risks, including inadvertent publishing of private information malware, viruses, malware and worms. It is not recommended to use in environments with strict guidelines for compliance. Mimecast’s Secure Document Sharing solution provides a highly secure way for teams to share documents with other parties, and also internally within the company. It can be triggered manually or automatically, based on administrator-defined policies. It also allows for different levels of access and collaboration in order to conform to organizational governance and best practices for secure sharing of documents.