How can I store and sync my work files in the cloud to access on my smartphone at home

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:47:44 -0400

As a DOD Civilian working as a Unit Administrator, I'd like to be able to have access of my own personal files from my work computer. If there a cloud based solution that I can use to have my work files sync with my smartphone or home computer?

Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, are all blocked. burning files in a CD would be counter productive as files are changed and updated on a daily basis.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 10:22 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:22:43 -0400

There really isn't a way to do this. The only real way to do this is just to have an email folder where you can email them to yourself. Then you can download from there.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 22 at 2014 10:29 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:29:52 -0400

You might want to check with your information security team. While the idea of what you are trying to do makes sense, it could violate the security policies. Most federal workplaces have policies that do not allow the electronic transmission of documents to a public or non-DOD controlled storage area like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Oct 22 at 2014 10:42 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:42:45 -0400

If you want to work from your home computer, you may be able to set up a VM that allows you to connect to your work account and then into your share point. Alternately, you may be able to make a remote connection to your work PC and manipulate the files directly.

For details on either - as well as validation that they are/are not allowed - check with your S6/IT shop. As I expect that most of your files will deal with PII, it may well not be allowed.

As far as the smart phone, I think you are SOL. It IS technically possible, but the configuration added to the security (including physical) requirements will likely be too high.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Oct 22 at 2014 3:32 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:32:59 -0400

"...have access of my own personal files from my work computer."

If you're talking about accessing your work from home, then - especially as a DoD contractor - you have no other choice but to ask IT/IS how. In this case, forgiveness IS NOT easier than permission, and loss of income is nothing if someone decides (thinks) that your attempts are malicious.

If you're talking about accessing your personal files on your work computer... I STRONGLY suggest you reconsider your goal. No good can come from that. NO good can come from that. NO GOOD can come from that. (Sorry... emphasis was needed.)

When you're doing a job for someone else, it's just not a good idea to mix business and personal work. Eventually, it will catch up to you, and the results can be painful.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 31 at 2014 12:55 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:55:46 -0500

For files that I am authorized to have in a cloud or on a personal laptop, I use Google Drive (15GB).

I setup a folder on my personal laptop that is "live" and leave it on/connected while i'm at work.

I can access my Google Drive from a phone and/or on my work computer.

From my work computer, I can preview, download, rename, upload, delete, etc and all the changes actually take place on my laptop at home.

I tried the same thing with Microsoft OneDrive, but had issues accessing from my work computer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 1:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 01:29:46 -0500

I would suggest if you need some storage for work files that can be accessed via the web i.e. laptop/pc, then I would try looking at AMRDEC-SAFE, it allows DoD members to share files up to 2 GB with other DoD members.

You might look at as milSuite and as I last heard, AKO had some storage features as well.
As far as syncing with your work computer, COL Vincent Stoneking may be onto something setting up a VM access.