In the past, sharing large files meant burning data to a disc every night and then mailing it or handing it off to the right person at a different location. This was inconvenient for all involved and often left the file vulnerable to theft or loss. It became a little easier with the digital age, as email evolved and more storage space became available for electronic transmissions. However, this didn’t make it any more secure, and highly regulated businesses like healthcare, banking, and financial services still require a more governed way to transfer large files.
When transferring large files, businesses must take into account security, speed, and accessibility. The most important of these factors is how easy it is for users to find and access the information they need, whether that’s a CAD drawing, video, or graphics-heavy report. Additionally, the ability to send the file in multiple formats—including encrypted SFTP and HTTPS—is crucial to keeping information safe from malicious attacks.
The simplest option for sending large files is through an online file sharing service. Services such as WeTransfer and MailBigFile allow you to upload up to 2 GB of files to their servers and then provide recipients with download links. These services also offer a free tier and paid subscriptions for those that need more storage space.
pCloud is another online file sharing service that specializes in transferring large files. Unlike the services listed above, pCloud does not limit the size of files that can be uploaded to its servers. The service allows you to download large files directly from the website, or you can create a link that can be shared via email or social media platforms. pCloud has a free tier with 1 TB of storage and also offers paid subscriptions for those that need more storage capacity.
One of the main challenges with transferring large files is that network congestion can slow down or even interrupt downloads. To help mitigate this, it’s a good idea to schedule file transfers for off-peak hours when the network is likely to be less busy. In addition, broadband bonding can help improve network speeds by combining multiple internet connections to create a high-bandwidth connection that makes sending large files seamless.
In today’s competitive business environment, it’s imperative for companies to have the right tools at their fingertips for securely transferring large files. If not, they’re more likely to find unsanctioned, risky ways to send and receive data—which puts the organization at risk of a data breach or fines for non-compliance. To avoid these risks, it’s best for businesses to use a managed file transfer (MFT) solution with large file transfer capabilities that are both governed and accelerated to ensure the timely delivery of critical information. This can help businesses to remain HIPAA, GDPR, and FERPA compliant while providing their employees with an intuitive, user-friendly large file transfer tool.