https://allsmarthomebusiness.com/the-case-for-virtual-data-rooms-in-safeguarding-business-deals/

Document sharing is an essential component of collaborative business processes. If it is not done properly it could leave the opening for hackers to snoop on sensitive files.

Secure Document Sharing involves the distribution of data classified as confidential or private, such as personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health information (PHI). This is the case for documents that are in process and distributed to colleagues as part of a collaboration 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 via cloud-based secure sharing solutions that allow users to view files online in a controlled manner (e.g. printing, copying, or screening prevention are all standard approaches. It also gives an extensive access control system for shared folders and files, and can allow advanced security options such as audit trails and encryption.

Peer-to-peer document sharing is another alternative. It lets computers connect directly to transfer files, without hosting them on central servers. It has some advantages, including reduced storage requirements, higher transfer speeds, and a more customizable experience. However, it comes with a number of risk, including the accidental publication of private information malware, viruses, malware and worms. It is not recommended to be used in environments that are strict with guidelines for compliance. Mimecast’s Secure Document Sharing solution provides an extremely secure method for teams to share files with external parties and also internally within the organization. It can be triggered manually or automatically, based on administrator-defined policies. It also supports different tiers of collaboration and access to conform to corporate governance guidelines and best practices around secure document sharing.