What is FileFlex and how does it secure unstructured data?

FileFlex is a Zero Trust Data Access platform that provides secure, policy-driven access to unstructured data across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid storage without moving or copying the data. It enforces least-privilege access and records all activity for audit and compliance.

How does FileFlex enforce Zero Trust principles?

FileFlex enforces Zero Trust by authenticating each request, evaluating access against centrally defined policies, and ensuring only authorized users receive access based on context and permissions. Storage systems remain dark unless explicitly accessed through FileFlex policy workflows.

Can FileFlex help reduce ransomware and data exfiltration risk?

Yes. FileFlex’s Zero Trust model limits open access to file shares and network drives, reducing the attack surface. Its detailed activity logs and ability to detect unusual access or extraction patterns can help identify ransomware behavior during data exfiltration, enabling faster detection and response.

Does FileFlex work with existing enterprise systems like Active Directory and cloud storage?

Yes. FileFlex integrates with enterprise identity providers such as Active Directory and Azure AD for authentication and policy enforcement. It federates access to existing on-premises and cloud file systems, SharePoint, and NAS without requiring changes to your infrastructure.

MANUFACTURING

Secure Manufacturing Data Across the Extended Enterprise

Protect engineering files, intellectual property, and operational information while enabling secure collaboration across employees, plants, suppliers, contractors, and partners.

Request a Manufacturing Demonstration ›

Engineer reviewing manufacturing data on a computer in a production facility — secure manufacturing collaboration

Manufacturing’s Greatest Asset Is Its Intellectual Property

For manufacturers, competitive advantage is built on intellectual property.

Product designs
Engineering drawings
Bills of materials
Manufacturing processes
Quality documentation
Supplier specifications

The challenge isn’t simply providing access to this information—it is governing who can access it, under what conditions, and maintaining visibility into every access request across an increasingly distributed workforce and supply chain.

FileFlex Enterprise enables manufacturers to securely collaborate without exposing their underlying storage infrastructure or creating additional copies of sensitive information.

Secure Collaboration Across the Manufacturing Lifecycle

Manufacturing organizations collaborate continuously across multiple internal and external teams.

Manufacturing collaboration ecosystem — FileFlex Enterprise Zero Trust Data Access at the center, securely connecting Engineering (designs, CAD files, specifications), Production (production plans, work instructions), Quality (quality records, inspections, certifications), Maintenance (manuals, equipment docs, service records), Procurement (RFQs, supplier quotes, contracts), Suppliers (drawings, specs, project documents) and Contractors (project files, manuals, operational procedures); manufacturing data assets include CAD files and drawings, technical documents, bills of materials, production plans, quality records, RFQs and contracts, and maintenance manuals.

Engineer reviewing a 3D CAD model at a dual-monitor workstation

Engineering & Product Development

Provide secure access to CAD drawings, product specifications, engineering documentation, and large design files while maintaining centralized governance.

Two professionals reviewing component specifications on a tablet in a parts warehouse

Supplier Collaboration

Share only the information suppliers require for a specific project without exposing internal file systems or unrelated engineering data.

Field service contractor consulting documentation on a rugged tablet beside industrial machinery

Contractors & Field Service

Provide temporary, controlled access to technical documentation, maintenance manuals, and operational procedures for contractors and field personnel.

Buyer and vendor reviewing technical drawings and quotation documents at a desk

Procurement & RFQs

Securely exchange specifications, drawings, and supporting documentation with vendors throughout procurement and quotation processes.

Quality inspector measuring a precision machined part with digital calipers

Quality & Compliance

Govern access to quality documentation, certifications, inspection records, and manufacturing procedures while maintaining complete activity visibility.

Move Governance, Not Data

Traditional collaboration platforms often require organizations to upload, synchronize, or migrate files into another repository before they can be shared.

FileFlex works differently.

Manufacturing data remains exactly where it already resides while FileFlex overlays centralized governance across existing storage systems.

Organizations avoid costly migration projects while maintaining existing workflows and preserving previous infrastructure investments.

Secure Manufacturing Data Without Infrastructure Change — employees, engineers, plants, suppliers and contractors connect through FileFlex Enterprise Zero Trust Data Access (verify identity, evaluate policy, govern access, record activity) to existing storage: Windows servers, NAS/SAN storage, SharePoint, FTP servers, Microsoft Azure, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage and other cloud storage; your data stays where it is.

Centralized Control. Decentralized Enforcement.

Modern manufacturers operate across distributed teams, facilities, suppliers, and partners, creating a need for centralized governance without limiting local operational control. FileFlex Enterprise combines centralized policy and visibility with delegated administration and local enforcement, enabling secure collaboration across complex manufacturing environments while data remains in its existing location.

Centralized Governance

Enterprise-wide policy management
Organization-wide visibility
Centralized activity logging
Consistent Zero Trust Data Access policies
Secure collaboration across the supply chain

Delegated Administration

Independent administration for plants and business units
Local control of users and repositories
Granular file and folder permissions
Secure supplier collaboration
Operational autonomy within enterprise governance

Built for Existing Manufacturing Infrastructure

Manufacturing information rarely exists in one location.

FileFlex provides governed access across:

Windows File Servers
NAS, SAN, and Direct-Attached Storage
SharePoint
FTP Servers
Microsoft Azure Storage
Amazon S3
Google Cloud Storage
Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, and OneDrive
Private and Hybrid Infrastructure
Multiple geographic locations and domains

Users experience a consistent interface while IT retains centralized governance.

Manufacturing shop floor with production equipment — FileFlex governs access across existing manufacturing storage infrastructure

Secure Access Without Disrupting Engineering Workflows

Security should never slow manufacturing.

FileFlex allows authorized users to continue working with familiar applications including Windows File Explorer, Microsoft Office, Adobe applications, and AutoCAD.

Rather than forcing users into another collaboration platform, FileFlex integrates secure access directly into existing workflows, reducing training requirements and helping minimize shadow IT.

Extending Zero Trust to Manufacturing Data

Manufacturers have invested heavily in securing identities, devices, and networks.

The next evolution of Zero Trust is extending those same principles directly to engineering and manufacturing data.

FileFlex complements existing identity providers, Zero Trust Network Access solutions, and security investments by governing access at the data layer—where sensitive intellectual property, technical documentation, and operational information reside.

How Manufacturing Access Works — every access request is evaluated, authorized and monitored in five steps: 1) a user requests access to a file or folder from an authorized application; 2) FileFlex verifies the user identity using enterprise identity providers and MFA; 3) the request is evaluated against centralized policies, permissions and context; 4) the FileFlex Connector Agent securely retrieves the authorized data from its existing location using outbound-only connections; 5) the access and user activity are logged for audit, monitoring and compliance.

Why Manufacturers Choose FileFlex

Protect intellectual property without moving data

Secure collaboration across suppliers and contractors

Govern access at the file and folder level

Preserve existing storage infrastructure

Simplify engineering workflows

Reduce reliance on broad network access

Centralize policy management while enabling delegated administration

Extend Zero Trust directly to manufacturing data

The Data Layer of Zero Trust for Manufacturing

Manufacturing organizations have made significant investments securing identities, endpoints, and networks. The next step is governing access to the engineering data, operational documents, and intellectual property that drive the business.

FileFlex Enterprise extends Zero Trust directly to manufacturing data—providing centralized governance, granular access control, and secure collaboration across employees, production facilities, suppliers, contractors, and partners.

Sensitive information remains where it already resides. Policies remain centralized. Access remains controlled.

FileFlex Enterprise is the data layer of Zero Trust for manufacturing.