Dropbox is unquestionably one of our favourite technologies here at Lifehacker, and the thought that evil corporate overlords might block all that file-syncing goodness fills us with dismay. But there’s no doubt that it’s happening. Is it happening to you?
I was reminded of the fact that Dropbox is seen as a secrets-leaking business risk magnifier at a press lunch for F5 Networks in Sydney today, where global marketing VP Kirby Wadsworth (pictured) noted that his own recent attempts to access his Dropbox account had been blocked by the existing systems at F5. While that wasn’t unexpected — a core part of F5’s product offering is the ability to tightly control IP traffic to ensure that security policies are maintained — Wadsworth isn’t under any delusions about the long-term viability of that approach. Given the widespread popularity of Dropbox, he predicted that the block will “last about five minutes” once someone clues in to a workaround.
An advanced IT department might well offer an alternative; the Silverback system for allowing controlled iOS access also includes a file synching system. As Chris Hagios, managing director of Airloom, which developed the Silverback system, pointed out at the same lunch, that kind of alternative is essential: “So many customers are using Dropbox.”
That’s commendable, but I suspect it’s a minority viewpoint. Does your workplace restrict Dropbox access, and have you worked out a way around it Tell us in the comments.
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