Page 16 - Cyber Warnings

Addressing the Growing Risk of Personal File-Sharing Apps at

Work

By Mika Javanainen, Senior Director of Product Management, M-Files Corporation

Thousands of employees around the world are inadvertently putting their organizations at risk
by using personal file-sharing apps such as Dropbox to store and share company information.

As the unsanctioned use of personal file-sharing services increases in the business
environment, so too does the risk of information security breaches and data loss.

A recent report from cloud security firm SkyHigh Networks found that 18% of all files uploaded
to file sharing and collaboration services contain confidential or sensitive information.

With so much critical information on the move, businesses need the ability to quickly see who is
assessing what and when – and take steps to prevent risky file-sharing behaviors.

Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and use starts with well-defined
policies. If employees are using their personal file sharing apps at work, policies must be
developed and enforced that dictate how these solutions can be used and for what kinds of
content.

However, even companies that have such policies still have difficultly preventing unauthorized
file sharing because it is too difficult to track. And not everyone knows or follows the rules.

Organizations cannot simply rely on the honor system - they need tools that allow them to
enforce information security policies.

The root of the problem

The proliferation of unsanctioned file-sharing app usage at work points to unmet needs. Today’s
increasingly mobile, fast-paced work environment is changing the way workers access
documents and other information on the job.

They demand anytime, anywhere access to information in order to collaborate and be
productive. What’s more, they want the tools at work to provide the same user experiences they
have with the modern consumer apps they use in their personal lives.

Unfortunately, too few companies have enabled their workforces with enterprise software
applications that meet those expectations.

This reality is likely a key driving force behind unsanctioned employee use of personal file
sharing and sync solutions.

16 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine February 2017 Edition
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