At Safe4 we are constantly seeking ways to improve the security and quality of the experience of using our document delivery and storage service.

One of the important changes we are making relates to the way in which email notifications are delivered when new documents are uploaded to the service, or when a user wishes to send a message regarding a document already stored in the system.

Remember that we never send documents as email attachments.  This is inherently insecure, and can potentially lead to regulatory and compliance problems.  However, we use emails for notification of new file uploads or messages relating to already-stored documents.

Some important improvements have been made to the email notification process:

• Email notifications no longer carry hyperlinks to the documents stored within Safe4, but by clicking on a new link in the message, the user will be directed to a login page.  After login and authentication, the user will be presented with a new Notifications page.  This will carry live links to the files in question, and will also provide links to the folder or subfolder where the files are held.
• An email link to the originator of the message, should the user wish to respond.
• A Notifications Summary page will also be available, with a record of all of the Notifications that the user has received.

Security of the system has been enhanced, with a new facility for entering a PIN code.  If the user or their provider has chosen to use a PIN, this will be entered using an on-screen keypad to select the numbers.  This removes the possibility of keyboard loggers being used to capture user authentication data.

The invitation process for new users has also changed, and upon receiving an invitation the invited user will be offered a clear choice between using their existing account, and creating a new account. For users that have access to more than one Safe4 vault or provider account, this will simplify the process and speed up user registration.

Safe4 are very excited to announce the immediate availability of Version 2 of their unique solution to support professionals communicating documents to their clients with complete security.

There have been some new developments to the Safe4 Secure Vault service, with specific enhancements to the administration of the system.  It is now possible for Safe4 provider users to exercise greater control over the way in which both your own users and your clients’ users are managed.  These are described in detail in the latest Safe4 Administration Manual, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Your clients’ users will receive a separate email directing them to a different Release Blog.  For your information, this can be accessed by clicking here.

The key changes to the system for providers are:

• Incorporation of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) into the user login process. This provides an extra level of security and is optional. It is applied by the provider system administrator on a client-by-client basis.
• Changes to the way in which Safe4 groups are managed.  More detailed definition of user capabilities has been provided, so that users can be granted more specific access rights and restrictions.
• The ability to assign groups to provider users as well as client users.
• Enhanced control over users.  Certain administration rights can now be added to each provider user’s profile, allowing some aspects of system administration to be delegated.
• The ability for provider users to receive email notification when new files are added to a Safe4 vault, whether by a provider or client user.
• The ability for provider users to opt out of the receipt of email notifications for new files.

Client users will also see some substantial benefits from new features that make it easier for them to access documents.

• Your Safe4 provider may now require the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) which will need to be used when you login to the system. This is to add extra security to the Vault.
• The section of the Safe4 File and Folders page that shows the list of files contained within a folder has changed.  You now have the ability to select files for specific actions, dependent upon the rights of access you have been granted.
• Some of the functions on the Safe4 screen displaying the files contained within a folder have changed, and some buttons have been repositioned.

Today sees the official Safe4’s national launch of an exciting new service designed to help professional practitioners and other businesses to get critical documents direct to their clients. Documents are then retained in a secure online vault to which both business and client have access from anywhere at any time.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, will speak at the launch in the presence of the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. The event takes place at the historic Club LS1 in the heart of the city which is the UK’s leading centre for financial and professional services outside London.

Howard Kew, CEO of Financial Leeds, says “Innovative companies such as Safe4 bring additional impetus to the role of Leeds and the city region as a centre of business excellence, emphasising the importance of the region to the greater national economy.”  He continues “We welcome Safe4 to the Leeds business environment and are sure that their unique solution to the problems of managing critical documents in the digital age will be of interest to the many financial and professional service providers established in the region.”