theCloud claims NZ first for secure file sharing service

Company says it is the first to create a secure file sharing service where the data is housed in New Zealand

New Zealand infrastructure specialist company theCloud believes it is the first New Zealand supplier to introduce a secure file sharing service where the data is housed in New Zealand.

Its HomeDrive product, released last month, integrates to network drives, web sites and Microsoft Exchange Outlook.

“We’ve got more than 50 individuals using the beta release offer,” says national sales manager Andrew Clausen. “We’re introducing a billing model later this month.”

Clausen likens the service to Dropbox. “It’s also very similar to what Kim Dotcom is offering. There’s a direct comparison but we’re geared more toward business users.

“Being local, addresses the issue of data sovereignty.”

HomeDrive creates a secure area on the local hard drive, called a vault. All folders and files stored on a vault are protected by 256 bit encryption. When the application is closed, the vaults are invisible, making it impossible for unauthorised individuals to access private data. A personal password makes the vaults available within the standard file management applications, such as Explorer and Mac Finder.

HomeDrive retains 14 daily backups against accidental deletion.

It has the ability to remotely shred all files and folders if the computer is stolen.

Every time the user logs on, HomeDrive scans the online vault and automatically synchronises the files that have been added to or changed by other team members.

HomeDrive includes a range of mobile apps that allow access to the files from any major platform. Mobiles apps are available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry.

theCloud was established three years ago, offering highly scalable and automated infrastructure.