How to receive files securely with TransferChain’s File Request

How to receive files securely with TransferChain’s File Request

Ozan Yalcin

Why Businesses Need Secure File Requests?

Secure file request systems are crucial for businesses because they provide a controlled, encrypted environment for exchanging sensitive information, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

This is particularly important for industries that handle sensitive client information, such as legal, financial, healthcare, and tech sectors, where data breaches can lead to significant financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

What is a Secure File Request?

With File Requests, you can securely collect and receive highly confidential files, even from individuals who don’t have a TransferChain account. All files go through client-side & end-to-end encryption on the sender's device before being securely stored in your TransferChain folder.

Simply create a folder and a secure link, and send it to anyone to upload files. For added security, you can set an expiration date and enable two-factor authentication (TFA). The uploader can then add their files and also write notes along with the upload. There’s no need for them to download or install any plugins or add-ons, sign in, or even have a TransferChain account.

What are the current solutions, and why are they not secure enough?

Legacy Solutions:

  1. Email Attachments:
    • Insecurity: Email is one of the most common methods for file sharing but it is inherently insecure. Attachments can be intercepted, altered, or infected with malware. Even with encryption, email platforms often store copies of the data on multiple servers, increasing vulnerability.
    • Lack of Control: Once an attachment is sent, the sender loses control over who can access, forward, or alter the document.
  2. FTP Servers:
    • Insecurity: Traditional FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is outdated and transmits data in plain text, making it easy for attackers to intercept and access files.
    • Complexity: FTP requires technical knowledge to set up and manage securely. Misconfigurations can lead to unauthorized access and data leaks.
  3. Physical Media (USB Drives, CDs):
    • Insecurity: Physical media can be easily lost or stolen, leading to potential data breaches. They also lack encryption, meaning anyone with access to the media can access the files.
    • Inconvenience: Transferring files via physical media is slow and impractical for remote or large-scale operations.

Why They Are Not Fully Secure:

  • Lack of End-to-End Encryption: Many legacy solutions either lack encryption or use weak encryption, leaving data vulnerable during transfer and storage.
  • Limited Access Controls: Traditional methods often lack granular access controls, meaning sensitive files can be accessed by more people than necessary.
  • Vulnerability to Modern Threats: As cyber threats evolve, legacy systems often fail to protect against newer attack vectors, such as phishing, ransomware, and insider threats.

Curious about what you can accomplish with TransferChain's Secure File Requests?

  • Receive multiple files in the folder of your choice: Senders can upload multiple files, with a maximum of 2 GB of data per upload.
  • Collaborate securely on confidential files: Only the owner of the file request has access to the folder and can view the files. Uploaders cannot see their own files or those uploaded by others.
  • Get notified when someone uploads a file: When files are uploaded to your file request, you can receive an email notification, allowing you to easily track the process.
  • Protect and manage your files: All uploaded files are protected by TransferChain's client-side end-to-end encryption, file splitting, and distributed cloud technology. For additional security, you can also set an expiration date or revoke the file request link at any time.
  • Ensure compliance with data protection regulations: TransferChain's Secure File Requests help organizations meet requirements such as GDPR and CCPA by safeguarding sensitive data with end-to-end encryption, secure file storage, and user access controls. This ensures that personal data is handled securely and only accessible to authorized individuals.
  • Ultimate privacy ensured: Powered by zero-knowledge architecture, TransferChain's Secure File Requests ensure that only the intended recipient can access and view the contents of the files, keeping data completely private and inaccessible even to TransferChain itself.
Here is a short glimpse of how easy it is to create a secure file request:
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To Summarize:

TransferChain's security relies on client-side end-to-end encryption, splitting files into smaller pieces, and distributing them across multiple cloud providers. It uses a blockchain-based system for managing metadata, ensuring privacy and decentralization - Learn more about our Security.

As a company:

  • Ensure security & privacy for your customers and partners
  • Meet compliance requirements
  • Increase your organization's operational efficiency
  • and more!

The secure File Request feature is available for both TransferChain Business and Individual plans. Still don’t have a subscription? Try out TransferChain's File Request for free now!