Messaging Client File Sharing Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and securing email attachments can be challenging for users and businesses, particularly in controlling access and managing large volumes of data, with on-premise email services being costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A messaging client is used to specify sharing options for files, including access, feedback, and expiration settings, which are transmitted to a separate sharing service to manage file access and sharing, allowing users to control who can access shared files and for how long, without the need for additional applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually control access to email attachments through encryption or password protection, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the time-consuming nature of managing access for multiple recipients
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically managing file access control. When a user sends an email with attached files, the system automatically creates shareable links with embedded access controls, eliminating the need for manual encryption or password distribution. The system autonomously handles link generation, expiration setting, and access revocation, allowing users to securely share files without manual security management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring access control parameters before file sharing. Users can set expiration times, access permissions, and recipient restrictions in advance through the email interface. The system pre-generates secure links with these controls embedded, so when recipients receive the email, access management is already established without requiring additional user action.
2Reliability
If businesses deploy on-premise email servers to manage data and email services, then data control is improved, but loss of energy increases due to the cost of upkeep and administrative resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex file sharing and access control functionality from the traditional email server infrastructure. By implementing a separate file sharing service that integrates with email clients through APIs, the system removes the burden of maintaining dedicated file sharing servers, storage infrastructure, and access control mechanisms from businesses' on-premise email systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multi-functionality by combining email communication, file storage, file sharing, and access control in a unified cloud-based service. Instead of requiring separate on-premise systems for each function, the invention integrates these capabilities into a single service that can be accessed through standard email clients, reducing infrastructure requirements while maintaining comprehensive data management control.
Data Source
AI summary
Functionality is disclosed herein for setting sharing options for files using a messaging client. A message interface is displayed that allows a user to compose an electronic message. While the message is being composed, the user may specify sharing options for a file, or files, associated with the message. The sharing options may specify access settings used to identify the users that are allowed to access the file through a sharing service, feedback settings that are used to indicate when feedback is expected, and expiration settings that are used to indicate when sharing of the file expires. The sharing options are communicated from the messaging client to the sharing service. The sharing service may utilize the sharing options to control the manner in which the file, or files, is shared.