Mimecast Extends Large File Send Capability to Mac as part of major update

London, U.K. – Mimecast, the leading cloud email security, archiving and continuity service, has announced a major update to its Large File Send (LFS) service.  The new version of LFS also allows a Mimecast customer to collaborate on a large file with a non-Mimecast customer, by opening a secure portal between the two parties.  In addition, the service is now available to Mac users for the first time via a new native app, Mimecast for Mac.

Large File Send bypasses file size constraints imposed by Exchange Administrators, and the file size limitations of Office 365, by automatically routing large file attachments via the Mimecast service.  LFS users can send attachments up to 2GB without leaving Outlook, or the new Mac app.  All attachments are automatically anti-virus scanned and then checked against corporate data leak policies by the Mimecast service before sending. Files shared remain compliant with corporate IT policies and are protected, archived and fully discoverable on Mimecast’s cloud service at all times.

Large File Send eliminates a growing concern IT administrators have that end-users are increasingly turning to third-party cloud storage services outside their control as a means to send files exceeding network limitations. Doing this can put their organizations at higher risk of breaches in confidentiality, data security, and regulatory or compliance rules.

Orlando Scott-Cowley, Director of Technology Marketing at Mimecast, commented: “The ability to send and receive large files is becoming a battle ground between end-users and their IT departments. Users are creating larger and larger files and need to share them in order to do their job but IT teams want to control storage costs and traffic on their network so impose strict file size limitations. Before Large File Send, this drove end-users off the safety of the corporate network and onto cloud services that often violate corporate IT and even regulatory policy.”

He continued: “Mimecast Large File Send eliminates this problem. Once installed, users have no need, desire or excuse to circumvent corporate rules and put their corporate data or organization at risk. IT administrators can relax knowing they have regained control of the data and that their users have the functionality they want integrated into one, easy-to-use app. Everyone is happy. Everyone is safe.”

How it works

Files sent and received over Mimecast Large File Send are virus-scanned and checked against enterprise-defined rules for data leak prevention before being stored securely in the corporate email archive within Mimecast’s cloud platform. This allows for more rapid and uncompromised e-discovery and supports compliance with regulatory requirements as all enterprise data resides in a single archive. It also reduces the traffic over the corporate network caused by the sending and receiving of these large files – the file is saved once to the Mimecast cloud and shared from there, never hitting the corporate infrastructure. 

Sending large files securely

• Attachments are securely uploaded from Microsoft Outlook or Mimecast for Mac to the Mimecast cloud, where they are virus scanned and checked for content and DLP policy compliance before being stored in a secure AES encrypted archive.
• Once scanned, an optional access key is generated and the message is sent to the recipient with an attachment containing instructions on how to access the files being shared.
• The recipient clicks the link in the attachment and is directed to a secure web portal, where, if required, they request the access key to download the file. The key will only ever be sent to their email address ensuring the files can only be accessed by the intended recipients.
• The service notifies the sender when their file has been downloaded, if they chose the notification option.
• The sender may also elect to set expiration options for the file, while administrators retain full control over the user experience.

Receiving large files securely

• Users can invite people outside of their organization (including non-Mimecast users) to also send them files securely with or without the added security of an access key.
• Those invited to send a file are provided a link to a secure web portal where they can upload files individually or in bulk with a simple drag and drop. A message can be added before submitting the files to be sent back to the requestor. Files are uploaded to the Mimecast cloud, where they are scanned according to security policies and stored in a secure AES encrypted archive and are available for download.

What’s new

• Support for Mac users via the new Mimecast for Mac native app.
• The ability to receive files securely from recipients who don’t have to be Mimecast customers that are also saved in the Mimecast archive.
• Improved user experience.
• Improved administration and reporting tools for sent and received files.

About Mimecast 

Mimecast (www.mimecast.com) delivers cloud-based email management for Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office 365, including archiving, continuity and security. By unifying disparate and fragmented email environments into one holistic solution that is always available from the cloud, Mimecast minimizes risk and reduces cost and complexity, while providing total end-to-end control of email. Founded in the United Kingdom in 2003, Mimecast serves more than 8,000 customers and 2 million users worldwide and has offices in Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and the Channel Islands.

Mimecast is a trademark of Mimecast Services Limited. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc. Outlook is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.