HighQ brings confidential collaboration to the cloud

There are lots of options for business collaboration but security of data is always a concern, especially when implementing cloud solutions.

The answer to these worries may lie with cloud collaboration specialist HighQ which is launching Collaborate 3.4, the first hybrid version of its platform providing both cloud and on-premise secure storage of data.

In addition to hybrid storage, the new Collaborate platform offers the ability to store encryption keys onsite, giving companies a safeguard with which to secure their data against threats, whether hackers, data-center workers or NSA snoopers.

"Collaborate 3.4 opens up important new use cases for customers around the world," says HighQ's Chief Strategy Officer Stuart Barr. "Organizations can collaborate on any device with the utmost levels of data sovereignty and security -- and pass those benefits on to their own clients. Our customers require all their data to stay protected and confidential, and we listened, evolving Collaborate to meet the most stringent requirements".

Key features include hybrid storage which gives customers the option of storing files within a particular jurisdiction or their own network. A custom-build appliance can be used to select where to store files for each individual workspace -- on-premise, in another location of the user's choice, or in one of HighQ's own data centers.

In addition encryption key management lets customers store their encryption keys on-premise rather than in the cloud where they're potentially vulnerable. This adds another layer of protection and lets companies retain full oversight of their data.

Microsoft Office integration enables users to seamlessly open and edit files from Collaborate in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Once a file is closed, Collaborate automatically uploads and publishes the latest version. A new Outlook plugin also lets users securely transfer files from within Outlook. Plus there's a personal file syncing feature which provides a secure alternative to public cloud services services by letting users sync personal files to their PC or Mac.

"Collaborate 3.4 completes the vision that we first laid out in 2012," says Barr. "It combines the best aspects of enterprise file sharing and sync with social collaboration and secure team workspaces. We’re proud to be the only provider to be built from the ground up for the world’s most sensitive industries, and to continually keep pace with the most advanced privacy, security and data-sovereignty requirements".

You can find out more about Collaborate on the HighQ website.

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