File encryption solutions are simple yet effective security services that prevent unauthorized users from being able to understand and make sense of your business files. File encryption solutions effectively transform your files and data into code that only the intended recipient is able to “decipher”. The data is, seemingly, meaningless until it is decrypted. As it is only the intended user who knows how to decrypt the message, you can ensure that no-one else can read it.
In order to achieve this, encryption tools usually uses public key cryptography, a method of encryption and decryption where key pairs are generated. Only the recipient with the key, usually a password, is able to de-encrypt the file. This method ensures that files and data are kept encrypted in transit, in use, and at rest.
Organizations will create tens, hundreds, even thousands of files and documents every single day. These may then be shared via SharePoint, Teams, Slack, email, or another method of communication. Each of these documents may contain sensitive information that, if accessed by the wrong person, could lead to regulatory fines, business intelligence being shared, and loss of customer confidence. It could be that a file or document reveals weaknesses or vulnerabilities within your organizational structure; this could lead to an attacker being in a better position to circumvent your network security and breach your infrastructure.
As threat actors are looking for any opportunity to infiltrate your business and steal your data, safeguarding your sensitive files and data has to be a priority. Making sure your company’s files are encrypted at all times through the use of a robust file encryption solution is one of the simplest and most effective ways to achieve this. This article contains a list of some of the best file encryption solutions on the market, with information about their key features and use-cases.
AxCrypt offers a comprehensive encryption software designed to protect sensitive data both individually and in a business setting. At the core of AxCrypt’s offering is their advanced file encryption system, which allows users to secure files with 128-bit or 256-bit encryption protocols. This software integrates seamlessly with cloud storage platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, offering users the ease of automatically securing files stored on these platforms.
AxCrypt facilitates collaboration by enabling the sharing of secured files to other users with secure, unique passwords. The software also includes features for password management and mobile encryption, allowing users to encrypt and decrypt files on their mobile devices at their convenience. For businesses seeking a robust security solution, AxCrypt Business stands out with features such as AES-256 encryption and secure key sharing, fostering a secure environment for sharing files within a team.
AxCrypt’s business subscription help companies to comply with data protection regulations and avoid potential data breaches. The business package also offers dedicated support through an account manager, assisting in seamless license management for the company.
Boxcryptor is a robust and flexible encryption solution for enterprise environments. Developed in Germany, it specializes in securing data in the cloud. Boxcryptor operates under the strict privacy regulations enforced in Germany, ensuring high standards of data protection and compliance with the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification. This encryption software integrates seamlessly into existing corporate infrastructures, adding a layer of security to over 30 cloud providers without disrupting established workflows. This makes Boxcryptor a suitable tool for businesses looking to enhance the safety of their cloud storage solutions.
Boxcryptor facilitates end-to-end encryption, meaning that files are encrypted directly on the device before being moved to the chosen storage, thus ensuring that only authenticated users can access the data. Boxcryptor supports Single Sign-On (SSO) and SCIM, simplifying user management and integration into existing systems. For teams utilizing Microsoft 365, Boxcryptor offers additional security within Microsoft Teams, adding encrypted files, messages, and chat functionalities. With Boxcryptor, companies can confidently store sensitive data in the cloud while complying with stringent privacy regulations, such as HIPAA.
Broadcom Symantec Endpoint Encryption is a robust security software designed to safeguard sensitive data on a variety of devices, including mobile workforces, laptops, and removable media. The solution allows organizations to protect vital information from loss or theft by utilizing strong full-disk and removable media encryption. It can be deployed seamlessly to large enterprise environments, blending high scalability with consolidated encryption administration, thereby reducing the operational burden on both administrators and users.
Broadcom Symantec Endpoint Encryption software emphasizes ease of use, offering features like single sign-on support, and multiple recovery options that ensure users can regain access to their data even in cases of no server connection. The solutions extends support for a Bring Your Own Device policy, permitting remote users to utilize personal devices while retaining a high level of data protection.
The software is easy-to-deploy and streamlines management through an integrated admin console, which is supplemented with features like Active Directory synchronization and seamless upgrades. Additionally, it integrates with Symantec Data Loss Prevention solutions, assisting organizations as they monitor and manage the transfer of sensitive content to prevent data leakage and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
ESET PROTECT Complete is a comprehensive endpoint security solution, delivering a balanced cloud-based platform with comprehensive encryption capabilities. Customers have the flexibility to manage their security infrastructure via a customizable console, providing a service that is both easy to deploy and use. Recognized for its top-rated malware detection capabilities, the ESET PROTECT Complete platform focuses on offering multilayered protection for various endpoints, business data, and users.
One of the distinguishing feature of ESET PROTECT Complete is its multilayered endpoint protection technology which efficiently protects against ransomware, zero-day threats, and other potential breaches. This robust platform offers a spectrum of security services including modern endpoint protection, server security, full disk encryption, and advanced threat defence. The system also extends protection to cloud applications and email vectors, ensuring a fortified security framework for your business. Central to this ecosystem is the ESET PROTECT Complete console, a unified platform facilitating seamless management of ESET solutions across all operating systems in your network, further complemented by multi-factor authentication as well as vulnerability and patch management capabilities.
NordLocker is a digital file security solution, offering users a file vault to safeguard business data. The platform is designed to function as a shield against cybercriminals, malware, and unwarranted surveillance. It operates on a zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring utmost privacy and control over access to your files. Whether you’re using the web platform or the desktop and mobile apps, NordLocker facilitates seamless synchronization and backup of your files across various devices, making sure your data remains inaccessible to unauthorized users, even when using a shared devices.
NordLocker allows for easy file management through its intuitive drag-and-drop features. You can encrypt any kind of file, irrespective of its size. Files can then be organized in lockers and folders and stored locally or in the cloud based on your preference. NordLocker is compatible with a range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The solution enables secure file sharing through encrypted links, adding an extra layer of security to your data transfer processes.
Sophos Central Device Encryption is a security tool designed to help safeguard devices and data. The solution leverages existing technology platforms such as Windows BitLocker and macOS FileVault to facilitate comprehensive disk encryption for both Windows and macOS devices. This results in a crucial layer of defense against potential data breaches that could arise due to device loss or theft.
The product offers a range of features that make device encryption convenient and manageable. One of the noteworthy features is its intuitive design that allows for easy setup and management, without the necessity for backend server configurations, making it possible to secure devices efficiently. This feature is augmented by a self-service portal that enables users to regain access to their devices without IT intervention, thereby streamlining the process and reducing the workload on IT help desks. The secure file share functionality permits confidential sharing of sensitive files, with password-protected document access.
Sophos Central Device Encryption helps teams to ensure compliance with necessary regulations by providing tools to verify and demonstrate the encryption status of devices in the network. The service is managed through a streamlined, unified console that is integrated into Sophos Central. From here, administrators can manage and configure all Sophos security products, including endpoint protection from a single, comprehensive dashboard.
Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption is designed to protect data across various endpoint devices including desktops and laptops. The solution offers a range of features that help in securing data effectively. It can encrypt data at multiple levels such as full disk, file/folder. Removable media can also be encrypted, making unauthorized access to private information harder. The encryption process is automatic and transparent, preventing performance degradation of the devices it is installed on. Trend Micro supports a variety of hardware setups, including self-encrypting drives (from known manufacturers) and accommodates unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) setups. Remote management tools incorporated in the software enable actions like remote lock, reset, or data wiping in cases of device loss or theft, adding an additional layer of security.
The Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption solution integrates seamlessly with existing IT infrastructure, offering features such as one-time passwords across all endpoint client applications and allowing for the management of users and groups from multiple active directory domains through a single console. It also offers advanced reporting and auditing capabilities, providing detailed auditing trails and real-time compliance auditing. This feature helps organizations maintain regulatory compliance efficiently.
The software is noted for its ability to lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) by simplifying deployment, configuration, and management processes. This results in it being a cost-effective choice for companies looking for comprehensive and effective data security solution.
Encryption refers to the process of encoding information, file encryption just means encrypting files and any data stored within those files. This enables the files to be sent securely, meaning that they can only be viewed by the intended recipient.
File-based encryption works by encrypting and protecting individual files on a system by using encryption algorithms, which can be very complex. Files are encrypted by having an encoding algorithm applied to it which scrambles the data on the file making it unreadable. The encrypted file can then be sent to its intended recipient. The intended recipient will have completed a ‘digital handshake’ which identifies them as a trusted source, and explains the decryption key. Without this key, a user will be unable to decipher the message, being left with a random jumble of text.
It is important to note that the only person who is able to decrypt the file are authorized individuals, i.e., the intended recipients. Once they enter the key, the document will become readable again. Many file systems and communication solutions offer encryption for files, but this might not meet all requirements that compliance bodies expect of you. A separate, stand-alone file encryption solution can offer the additional layer of security and encryption that is necessary to meet compliance standards.
As mentioned above, files are encrypted and then decrypted through the use of keys, commonly referred to as cryptography. File encryption often uses either symmetric or asymmetric cryptography. Asymmetric (also called public-key) cryptography is common. It uses both a public key and a private key; the public key is not secret and is used to encrypt the file. Only a user with the private key, however, will be able to decrypt the file. Symmetric encryption refers to the practice of using a single private key for both encryption and decryption. The key must be exchanged in order for the recipient to be able to decrypt the files. This is often used when large amounts of information and files need to be sent in bulk.
The shortest answer is: yes. Data that is unencrypted, even if only for a short period of time, can still be vulnerable to being accessed by a threat actor.
End-to-end encryption isn’t just a buzzword–it’s critical to ensuring your private data stays private. End-to-end encryption for data and files is a central part of a zero-trust approach. This requires that all access requests are fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before a user is granted access. Zero trust architecture is being adopted across industries and sectors, with the US government in 2021 beginning to increase their security standards and moving towards a zero trust security framework.
So, data should be encrypted when it is in transit, in use, and at rest. Data in transit refers to data that is being shared and sent between endpoints and users. While the data is on its journey, it can be easily compromised or viewed if sufficient encryption measures aren’t in place. Data in use is also highly susceptible to being either accessed or manipulated by a threat actor. Data in use is generally the data that is available to the recipient once it has been sent. Data at rest refers to data that has reached its destination but is not being accessed or used. Data that is at rest, if not properly encrypted, is at risk of being accessed at any point, especially if it’s left or saved “in plain sight”.
An experienced writer with a background in journalism and editorial, Lottie has written for a range of publications and companies covering everything from cybersecurity, real estate, and fashion to environmentalism and other social causes. She holds an M.Sc. in Political Science from the University of Amsterdam/Universiteit van Amsterdam.
Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.