What you'll learn in this article
Understand the challenges of sending large files via email and discover how Mimecast’s secure solution streamlines the process for both users and IT teams:
- Sending large files via email strains IT systems: Most email servers have strict attachment size limits to prevent performance issues, often making it impossible to send big files directly.
- Users turn to third-party services: When email limits block large attachments, employees often use unsanctioned file sharing apps, which can increase security risks.
- Mimecast’s Large File Send solution: Mimecast allows users to send files up to 2 GB securely from their usual email client, keeping files encrypted in the cloud and offloading traffic from email servers.
Sending large files via email creates problems for IT
Sending large files via email puts a real strain on email servers and IT teams. As the average file size of presentations, videos, images and other documents continues to grow, sending large files via email becomes next to impossible. Email sent with large attachments can quickly clog up inboxes and degrade the performance of email servers, which is why most IT teams place strict file size limits on email attachments.
While these restrictions may protect system performance, they severely limit user productivity. Users need the ability to share large files with colleagues outside the organization as part of their day-to-day workflow. When emailing large files is impossible, users are likely to use third-party file sharing services to meet their needs. But because these organizations can't offer the same level of security and protection against data leaks, content being shared is exposed to greater risk.
To resolve the dilemma over sending large files via email, Mimecast provides an easy-to-use solution for big file sharing that meets the needs of users and IT administrators alike.
Sending large files via email with Mimecast
Large File Send is Mimecast's simple solution for sending large files via email. With Mimecast, users can send files up to 2 GB in size from their standard mail box application, but the messages are sent to email servers in order to improve performance of email infrastructure. Files remain subject to all security, DLP and archiving policies, helping to support audit, e-discovery and compliance requirements for email. In order to provide superior security, large files never leave Mimecast's secure and encrypted cloud.
How to send large files via email attachments with Mimecast?
When sending large files via email, users simply create a new email, attach a file and press Send. Messages may be sent with secure email options that include encryption, optional access keys, automated download notifications and custom expiration dates.
When sending large files via email, messages and attachments are securely uploaded to the Mimecast cloud, where they are checked for malware and potential data leaks before being stored in a secure AES encrypted archive. The message recipient receives a notification with instructions about how to log into the Mimecast secure web portal to download the file. Recipients may also receive instructions for how to send a large file back to the original sender, creating a bi-directional secure document exchange.
Benefits of sending a large file via email with Mimecast
Mimecast's secure file sending service provides significant benefits for users and IT departments:
- Employees can use familiar applications for sending a large file, including Microsoft Outlook and a Mac desktop client
- Large file traffic is kept off the email server for improved performance.
- Content is encrypted when sending a large file for greater security in transit and at rest.
- Files are automatically archived according to email retention policies.
- Administrators can set comprehensive e-discovery and compliance policies.
Business email attacks don’t need malware, just a convincing email.
Whether users are sharing large files or everyday messages, threat actors exploit trusted communication. Stop impersonation and fraud before damage is done.
See How Mimecast Secures Everyday Email
Let external contacts know how to email a large file to your users
With Mimecast, users can easily let contacts outside the organization know how to send a large file to them, with the added security of an access key if desired.
External contacts can be shown how to send a large file via a secure web portal where they can upload files individually or in bulk with a simple drag and drop. Once files are uploaded to the Mimecast cloud, they are scanned for security and stored in the Mimecast archive where they are available for download by users.
Learn more about how Mimecast keeps your email secure.
