Sookasa Unveils Private Link Sharing on Public Cloud

Compliance-as-a-service provider Sookasa is looking to help organizations take the next step in securing files on public file sync and share services such as Dropbox via Google Apps’ Gmail cloud email service. The company has launched a new service that makes it easier to send what appears to be a public share link like those available using the Dropbox public folder, but with encryption and authentication to ensure only the receiver gets the document.

Asaf Cidon, co-founder and CEO of Sookasa, told Talkin’ Cloud that the problem Sookasa is trying to solve with this new feature is one that revolves around the ease of accessing public file sync and share links through services such as Dropbox. Although Dropbox intends for secure transmission, the reality is only those with access to the public file link can get access to the potentially sensitive file.

Using encryption and authentication procedures, Sookasa is hoping to change that and make it easier for customers to share files using Dropbox, but backed with its security methods. For Dropbox users, it’s the next step in file sharing, but specifically for customers using Gmail, the new feature provides the ability to encrypt and send the link directly from Google’s cloud email service.

The goal is to provide a solution to the risks around file sharing, device loss and accidental file sharing, Cidon said in an interview. He spoke with Talkin’ Cloud about the potentially big security risks some companies are taking by sharing files in the public domain using the public file link feature found in Dropbox.

“They can actually have a massive data breach with this type of public link sharing,” Cidon said. He added, “A single public URL for the file is actually dangerous, and that’s not what we do.”

Cidon also noted that the Sookasa service does not require the receiver to register for an account or install a piece of software. The encryption and authentication all happens via email using Sookasa’s service, and Cidon is ensuring safeguards are in place. But even so, nothing protects from a significant user error (such as if the user enters the same—but wrong—email address twice in a row when sending the file).

For most situations, though, the Sookasa service should ensure authentication and encryption before a cloud-based file lands in the hands of its recipients.