Get started with HaloSHARE in 3 steps

Digital supply chains require seamless workflows to function. Be it large multi-partner infrastructure projects or two-way collaboration with a custom parts supplier, digital supply chain security measures must therefore improve - not impede - the production process. 

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HaloSHARE secures and streamlines your data flows while collaborating, either by using Microsoft sensitivity labels to automatically protect and enable monitoring of shared files or by using Secude’s own watermarking feature. Here’s how you can get started in 3 simple steps. 

1. Choose the right HaloSHARE service for your needs

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HaloSHARE is secure file sharing software that simplifies bulk file management with classification, labeling, encryption, annotation, and digital watermarking. Using simple drag-and-drop, any file moved within a HaloSHARE-configured folder is automatically encrypted and protected from accidental file sharing and unauthorized access. 

However, not every file requires encryption, so some organizations might prefer to use HaloSHARE for watermarking only. 

‍HaloSHARE (MPIP). For teams that work on multi-user projects and share sensitive files with external partners, such as PDF copies of supplier contracts, Excel spreadsheets with financial data and CAD files containing engineering drawings. HaloSHARE applies Microsoft sensitivity labels to all files placed within its radius, ensuring that only designated users access, edit and download specific files. This encrypted sharing protects your data as it travels within and outside your organization.

‍HaloSHARE (Watermarking). For teams that work on projects involving non-sensitive files that they don’t want widely copied or transmitted, such as building blueprints or PDFs for tenders. HaloSHARE’s digital watermarking software enables bulk watermarking of files with both visible and discreet markings, including traceability of who files are shared with and when (current customers also use the watermarks to find leaked files on the web and learn who leaked the files). This unencrypted sharing enables partners to easily access shared files without downloading specific software.

2. Install HaloSHARE (MPIP)

As HaloSHARE (MPIP) extends Microsoft Purview Information Protection to CAD, PDF and MS Office files placed within shared folders, you must be a Microsoft customer before installing HaloSHARE. 

1. Set up app registration. Register an application in Microsoft Entra ID and assign API permissions. 
2. Create a certificate for HaloSHARE. Generate a self-signed certificate or request one from your Certificate Authority (CA).
3. Run the HaloSHARE Installer Package. Install HaloSHARE using the GUI-based setup program provided in the installation package. Make sure the user who installs the HaloSHARE has administrator rights.
4. Input app registration details. Modify registry settings and upload your certificate. 
5. Configure HaloSHARE. Select the folders, file types and sensitivity labels. 
6. Start using HaloSHARE. Secure and streamline your workflows.

Install HaloSHARE (Watermarking)

HaloSHARE (Watermarking) uses Secude’s own watermarking feature, so you don’t need to be a Microsoft customer. When configuring this version, you can choose a bespoke watermark whereas HaloSHARE (MPIP) uses the Purview watermarking feature. 

1. Create a certificate for HaloSHARE. Generate a self-signed certificate or request one from your Certificate Authority (CA).
2. Run the HaloSHARE Installer Package. Install HaloSHARE using the GUI-based setup program provided in the installation package. Make sure the user who installs the HaloSHARE has administrator rights.
3. Configure HaloSHARE. Select watermarking text (up to three lines) and font size as well as properties.
4. Start using HaloSHARE. Secure and streamline your workflows.

See our installation manual for more details on installing either HaloSHARE application. 

3. Configure usage settings

To secure shared project folders without interrupting user workflows, you need to configure the permission levels, usage rights and sensitivity labels. 

With HaloSHARE, you can either encrypt files with a static permission label (defined by administrators in the Microsoft Purview portal) or allow users to create custom permission labels for specific files in the HaloSHARE application. 

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1. Set basic permissions. Select the permissions labels and associated user rights. 

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2. Set custom permissions. Add custom permissions for specific roles in your company or team, including:

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3. Set sensitivity labels. Choose security labels to meet your specific requirements. The permission levels associated with each sensitivity label are automatically imposed on SAP data exports when you apply it. For example: 
   
   1. Labelling a CAD file within a HaloSHARE folder as ‘View’ will only allow users and recipients to access the content. 
   2. Labelling a PDF within a HaloSHARE folder with 'Co-Owner' permissions will grant the user full access to the file (including the ability to view, edit content, print, copy, and export the file) as well as change rights (labels). 

4. Customize sensitivity labels. Create, configure, and publish sensitivity labels for various levels of content sensitivity based on your organization's classification taxonomy (i.e. names or terms that are familiar to your engineering users, like Personal, Public, General, Confidential, and Highly Confidential). 

5. Edit sensitivity labels. Cancel, remove and relabel any sensitivity labels (i.e. if you bring external partners onto the project), as well as revoke access to files at any time or apply "No Protection" labels. 

Secure file collaboration and seamless workflows

From engineering teams collaborating on CAD drawings to finance personnel liaising on budgets, large multi-partner projects require seamless workflows to ensure efficient production and competitiveness. But the more partners you have, the greater chance of a digital supply chain security gap. 

HaloSHARE enables project partners to instantly secure unprotected files in bulk using drag-and-drop. What’s more, you can also set expiration dates on certain folders (i.e. once the project has come to an end) and add new suppliers to the project without the need for additional security procedures. The result? Your engineering teams can complete multi-user projects seamlessly and securely.

To see how engineering teams use HaloSHARE in practice, check out our use cases. 

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HaloSHARE: 

✅ Encrypt or watermark project files depending on sensitivity 

✅ Protect files in bulk using drag-and-drop

✅ Streamline project workflows without impeding users

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