2025 File Transfer Statistics: Trends, Risks, and How to Protect Your Data

2025 File Transfer Statistics: Trends, Risks, and How to Protect Your Data

Ozan Yalcin

As workplaces continue to digitalize, efficient and secure file transfer becomes increasingly crucial. Yet, recent studies show concerning trends around file-sharing practices among employees. Understanding these statistics is key to addressing potential vulnerabilities in your organization's data security.

Let’s explore the latest statistics on file transfers, emerging risks, and best practices to ensure your sensitive information remains secure.

Key File Transfer Statistics in 2025

1. Personal File-Sharing Tools Used for Work

A notable trend continues from previous years, as 56% of U.S. employees regularly use personal file-sharing services like OneDrive, Google Drive, WhatsApp, or Dropbox for work purposes—even when it contradicts company policies. (TechRepublic)

2. Reliance on Personal Email

Personal email remains a risky yet widespread method of file-sharing in workplaces. Approximately 63% of employees admit to using personal email to transfer sensitive work documents. Alarmingly, 80% of these employees engage in this practice at least once a month. (Globalscape)

4. Increasing Volume and File Size

With growing data demands, both the number and size of files transferred are rapidly increasing:

  • File transfer volumes rise annually by 8% to 11%.
  • The average file size grows by 6% to 7% each year.
  • Global Data Creation: The global datasphere is projected to reach 181 zettabytes by 2025, up from 149 zettabytes in 2024, indicating a significant increase in data generation. ​(Rivery)

These trends indicate growing pressure on IT infrastructure and heightened vulnerability to breaches. (Eliassen)

5. Sensitive Files Often Exposed to All Employees

  • A troubling 17% of sensitive files within organizations remain accessible to all employees, posing substantial security and compliance risks. This unnecessary exposure can lead to data breaches, regulatory fines, and loss of stakeholder trust. (Thru Inc)
  • Financial Sector Exposure: In the financial services sector, on average, 449,855 sensitive files are exposed, with 36,004 of these files accessible to every member of the organization. ​(Cobalt: Offensive Security Services)

6. Shadow IT

Use of Personal File-Sharing Tools: Approximately 30% of files are shared with personal accounts, bypassing corporate policies. (​Auvik)Shadow IT Spending: Shadow IT accounts for 30–40% of IT spending in large organizations, with 69% of employees deliberately bypassing cybersecurity measures. ​(Josys)

7.  AI & Data Sharing Risks

Sharing Sensitive Information with AI Tools: Nearly 38% of workers share sensitive work information with AI tools without their employer's knowledge, raising concerns about data privacy and compliance. ​(CybSafe)

8.  Organizational Visibility & Control

Control over File Sharing on Personal Devices: Only 41% of organizations have control over file sharing on employee-owned devices, and 37% have control over cloud-connected apps, indicating significant gaps in managing data flow.(Exploding Topics)

  • Secure File Transfer Market: Projected to grow from $2.35 billion in 2024 to $2.51 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 6.8%, driven by increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for secure data exchange. (​The Business Research Company)
  • Managed File Transfer (MFT) Market: Expected to expand from $1.6 billion in 2024 to $1.74 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 8.5%, fueled by the demand for reliable and secure file transfer solutions. ​(The Business Research Company)

Risks of Insecure File-Sharing Practices

Insecure file-sharing habits, such as reliance on personal email, unauthorized personal cloud solutions, and widespread use of peer-to-peer software, expose organizations to risks, including:

  • Data breaches: Unsecured methods increase the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  • Non-compliance penalties: Regulatory bodies like GDPR and SOX impose hefty fines for breaches of sensitive data.
  • Loss of reputation: Organizations experiencing data leaks or breaches suffer lasting reputational damage.

Best Practices for Securing File Transfers

Given these statistics and risks, proactive measures can significantly mitigate vulnerabilities:

1. Establish Clear File-Sharing Policies

  • Clearly communicate what tools are approved and prohibited.
  • Regularly train employees on secure data handling.

2. Adopt Secure File Transfer Solutions

  • Invest in secure, compliant file-transfer platforms that encrypt files with client-side & end-to-end encryption.
  • Ensure the solution’s architecture only allows your company with accurate authorized users access files.

3. Limit Access to Sensitive Data

  • Implement strict data-access controls using the principle of least privilege (POLP).
  • Regularly audit and restrict access to sensitive files.

4. Employee Training and Awareness

  • Regularly educate your employees on the risks of unsecured file transfers.
  • Create simulations and regular awareness programs to reinforce best practices.

Looking Ahead: Enhancing Your File Transfer Security with TransferChain

As file transfer risks evolve, adopting secure solutions like TransferChain can significantly enhance your organization’s data protection and compliance.

TransferChain’s Key Security Features:

  • End-to-End Encryption: Protects files directly from the user’s device using E2E encryption, ensuring complete security both in transit and at rest—eliminating any risk of unauthorized access.
  • Distributed Cloud Storage: Removes single points of failure, providing robust protection against breaches.
  • Blockchain-Based Authorization: Ensures files remain tamper-proof, with verifiable, secure transaction records.
  • Advanced Access Controls: Supports strict permissions management, ensuring sensitive files remain confidential.

Built for Compliance:

TransferChain fully complies with key regulatory standards, including:

  • GDPR: Meets strict privacy requirements for personal data.
  • Advanced Security Policies: Allows you to create organization-wide security policies, such as IP restrictions, and feature limitations.
  • Comprehensive Audit Trails: Generates detailed, verifiable logs for simplified regulatory reporting.
  • Data Sovereignty: Allows geographic control over data storage, aligning with local data residency laws.

Investing in secure solutions like TransferChain prepares your organization to confidently manage file transfers, protect sensitive data, and remain compliant with evolving global regulations.

Get started today: Secure your file transfers and protect your sensitive data with TransferChain.