DropBox gains business users, but security concerns linger

DropBox gains business users, but security concerns linger

The storage and file-sharing leader seeks to expand its commercial services.

Storing and sharing electronic files is important for consumers and has become big business for many companies. But an industry leader is looking to win converts in the business community who question whether its cloud platform is secure enough for sensitive business data.

DropBox is known as a leader in cloud storage and file sharing, having attracted more than 400 million consumers worldwide. In 2014, the tech startup was valued at $10 billion, according to CNBC, and the company is now increasingly looking to serve business clients as well.

But given the recent hacking attacks on major companies including Target, Home Depot and others, many companies are wondering if the DropBox cloud is secure enough for their corporate privacy needs. A report released earlier this week by Mobilelron, a mobile device management company, found that DropBox is the most blacklisted app among its 10,000 commercial customers.

MobileIron explained that higher rated companies typically provide storage and file sharing services for industries where security is paramount, such as health care, government and financial services. A consumer service like DropBox is perceived a riskier to businesses seeking the most expert cybersecurity measures.

Experts expect that DropBox will meet the security challenges through partnerships with security venders, and the company described its plans at an event this week where DropBox will discuss security issues.

Meanwhile, the field for business storage and file sharing is growing crowded, with DropBox facing competition from Microsoft, Google, and Citrix, among others. The file sharing company Box is spending 80 percent of its revenue each quarter on sales and marketing.

Still, a report last year found that DropBox is the most popular file-sync and share service, ahead of offerings from the other four tech companies in the sector. But Box CEO Aaron Levie noted that his company’s systems are most popular at the largest companies, those with 10,000 or more employees.

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