Patent ID: 8527632

Claim:
An apparatus for facilitating a secure transfer of a data file from a source located within a first organisation having an internal network to a recipient located within a second organisation via the Internet, said apparatus comprising: a processing device; a first storage device that stores instructions for facilitating said secure transfer; an encrypting storage device that encrypts and stores encrypted copies of data files for secure transfer; a first interface device that communicates with said internal network; and a second interface device for communicating with the Internet; wherein said processing device is configured to: receive, using said first interface device, a request from a first user having a first status to transfer a data file from said source to said recipient, said request identifying an identified data file and a recipient address; request, using said first interface device, an authorisation from a second user having a second status, for the transmission of the identified data file only after receiving said authorisation; receive, using said first interface device, said authorisation for the transmission of the identified data file; copy, using said first interface device, only after receiving said authorisation, the identified data file from said source to said encrypting storage device; issue an email, using said second interface device, to said recipient address identifying the location of said identified data file and a first password; receive a request, using said second interface device, from said recipient in response to the recipient identifying said location and providing said first password; and transmit, using said second interface device, said identified data file from said encrypting storage device to said recipient; wherein: said apparatus is located within said first organisation, said internal network is configured to prohibit transmission of a data file via the Internet without said apparatus receiving said authorisation, which said authorisation must be provided by the second user having a second status.