In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, productivity and seamless collaboration experiences—both internally with colleagues and externally with customers and supply chains—are more important than ever. However, these conveniences come with their own set of challenges, especially concerning data security. As industries increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions and external sharing, they also face heightened risks of cyber-attacks.
Productivity Through External Sharing
External sharing is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it greatly enhances productivity by allowing for much needed collaboration and file sharing between different organizations. Employees who can easily share documents with clients, partners, and colleagues not only boost efficiency, but their frustration levels are diminished exponentially. This interconnectedness drives innovation. While these platforms may offer convenience, they also present a threat to data reliability and security. The use of third-party platforms and emailing attachments for file sharing often introduces vulnerabilities from costly versioning errors and oversharing to exploitation by cybercriminals.
Industries at High Risk for Cyber Attacks
Certain industries are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle. For instance, sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy and utilities, insurance, and legal services are just a few prime targets for cybercriminals due to the valuable information they manage. The risk is compounded when data is stored or shared externally, increasing the likelihood of breaches and data theft. Digital service providers, such as cloud storage and email platforms, are also targets for cybercriminals. This is evidenced by recent attacks on MOVEit, Dropbox, and Accellion (now Kiteworks).
Just last week, a report from BleepingComputer revealed that attackers exploited settings in Proofpoint, a widely used security platform, to send millions of phishing emails each day. Vulnerabilities in external sharing platforms can be misused to launch large-scale phishing attacks. Another example is the FlyAway ransomware attack, which significantly disrupted airline operations. This attack originated from vulnerabilities in a third-party cloud service, indicating how security weaknesses in cloud service providers can lead to widespread operational disruptions and impact critical services. Similarly, Box’s security failure in 2019 exposed sensitive data stored in their cloud service, underscoring the potential risks and far-reaching consequences of relying on third-party cloud solutions. These challenges push many professionals to bypass strict security measures, leading to shadow sharing and the use of personal emails for easier collaboration.
External Collaboration on Productivity and Security
According to a 2023 MarketWatch survey, approximately 70% of professionals frequently use email attachments to share files. While email remains the top tool for collaboration, it is also the most vulnerable to risks such as data oversharing and breaches. In fact, the 2024 eShare State of Collaboration report reveals that 36% of IT professionals admit to using personal emails to work with external stakeholders, further exposing sensitive information. Recognizing these challenges, eShare offers a Secure Mail feature that allows users to continue their familiar practices—like sharing files via email—using modern secure links. This solution ensures that data remains protected within a controlled environment, addressing the risks associated with traditional email use while maintaining efficiency.
Keeping Data Within the Tenant Matters
Data is safest when they remain stationary and behind the security of an enterprise's tenant. The only issue is that a secure tenant is often a ‘closed’ environment, which can restrict modern link-based file sharing and external co-authoring. eShare’s M365 Extended Enterprise Collaboration provides enterprise employees with the ability to collaborate externally, while assuring data never leaves the tenant. We also provide automated governance to guarantee data is accessed only by the right employees at the right time, eliminating oversharing (intentional or unintentional). A critical element today as companies continue to onboard generative AI/Copilot at a fast pace. By keeping data within the tenant and accessible only to authorized personnel, eShare mitigates AI-related risks while strengthening data security, allowing organizations to confidently adopt new technologies like generative AI/Copilot.
Take the Next Step and Address these Challenges
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