asked on

Confidential Third-Party File Transfer

I work for a CPA firm. We have a need to transfer relatively large (100mb) files to and from our clients. Our clients include individuals and small companies that do not have access to IT support.

I have looked at yousendit.com, but my concern is that the e-mail notification could be intercepted, and there is no verification mechanism on the site.

My criteria for a product is something very easy to use, inexpensive, and secure.

Any ideas?

mikeleebrla

why not just zip the files and encrypt them? Every free zip program i have ever used can encrypt the files that are zipped

http://www.winzip.com/

winzip is free for evaluation and cheaply priced for commercial use. it is pretty much the industry standard program for zipping files

mdcollier

ASKER

Perhaps I've presented an unanswerable question.

Thank you for your submission, mikeleebria. I had considered zipping the file with encryption, but I think that even this solution is too complex for some of our users.

Unfortunately, I seem to be chasing my tail on this one. The easier I make the user experience, the more complex (and expensive) the solution.

I've researched several third-party solutions, and they all seem to rely on e-mailing a link. The latest solution I've researched is sendthisfile.com, which claims to be HIPA compliant. Although the data is certainly secure during transmission, the weak link is still the e-mail with the link. If you've got the link, you have unfettered access to the data.

I'm afraid it may be the case that a solution does not exist that meets the criteria... (?)

mikeleebrla

well anytime you increase security you increase user actions.

It's just like putting an extra deadbolt on a door and/or putting an alarm on your house. If you 'impliment' either of those to make it harder for a criminal to enter your house, you will also make it harder for you to enter your house as well.

mikeleebrla

also, i'm not familar with sendthisfile.com, but i would think that if it is HIPPA compliant that it would be secure. I couldn't imagine any solution where simply going to the link would give you access to the data without any user authentication.

MidnightOne

mdcollier:

There's always the "burn to CD and mail" approach, preferably via a trackable courier, e.g. USPS with return receipt, UPS or FedEx.

HTH

MidnightOne

mdcollier

ASKER

Well, I've been Googling like a madman, and finally found a solution;

www.sharefile.com

I swear this is not a bait-and-switch. If you are inclined, take a look. There is a flash demo on the site.

Thanks for all your help. This is the first time I've actually posted a question; previously, I've always been able to find an answer.

mdcollier

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

LBACIS

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial