DoD file-sharing tool is SAFE again

Editor’s note: This story was updated Feb. 25 after Fifth Domain received additional information from the Army.

The Department of Defense has reinstated a secure file-sharing service after the Army to took the system offline in November and kept it out of commission for four months.

Army leaders disabled the Safe Access File Exchange, or SAFE site, as a preventative measure in November a potential vulnerability identified was addressed almost immediately. The tool was created as an alternate to the traditional File Transfer Protocol or email, and operates much like the popular commercial file-sharing system Dropbox. The site provides a way to allow for the sharing of large data files, including those as large as 2 gigabytes, between defense organizations and industry representatives.

Officials put the system back online Feb. 13.

The SAFE site is run by the Army Combat Capabilities Development Center Aviation and Missile Center, formerly known as the Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, or AMRDEC.

The system was offline for so long due to issues with sustainment and maintenance capabilities.

According to a statement provided to Fifth Domain, Army officials have changed how the site works. Notably, files uploaded to the site will remain online for 48 hours before they are deleted. Previously, the system kept files for as long as 15 days.

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