Integration with your existing IT infrastructure, such as LDAP directories, active directory services, archiving systems, content management systems, data loss prevention (DLP) systems, and digital rights management systems is essential.

The ability to integrate your existing directories ensures access controls are consistently enforced across all IT services, while integration with archiving and DLP systems enables collaboration services to be part of broader data security initiatives and practices. In addition, the ability to plug secure file sharing capabilities into an existing content management system, such as SharePoint, to enable internal-external collaboration and mobile access enables centralized tracking and reporting of file sharing across the enterprise and leverages existing investments

With an enterprise-level collaboration and file sharing solution in place for mobile devices, the temptation for users to use free Dropbox-type applications is eliminated. IT administrators can manage and audit file sharing, ensuring that business users are complying with security policies; and IT managers and compliance officers can be confident that compliance mandates are being met.

Paula Skokowski is the chief marketing officer for Accellion, a pioneer and leading provider of enterprise-class secure collaboration and managed file transfer solutions. You can contact the author at paula.skokowski@accellion.com.

in Network World's Wide Area Network section.