During any discussion of cloud tools, one of the biggest issues is around security and authentication, and Box.net attempted to address some of these concerns with new security features announced last week.

These security features address a number of concerns about stealing log-ins, unauthorized use of content and simpler integration into the existing enterprise security apparatus, particularly Active Directory.

First of all, Smart Shared Links let users share links to content with a limited audience. In other words, the links only work for those who are authorized to click the link and view the content. If you're not authorized, the link won't work. This could go a long way toward limiting access to sensitive files in a fairly simple way.

In addition, a new feature called "Trusted Access" warns users when there is a login to their account from a new device. This is similar to the feature in Facebook, which asks you to identify each new device used to access your Facebook account and sends you an email when there is a new login from an unauthorized device.

This feature also enables IT administrators to track logins and limit the number of devices from which users can access a Box account.

IT administrators can also quickly link Box accounts to a company's Active Directory. Box describes how it works this way: "When users log into Box, they will be added or removed from Box groups based on their AD groups. Admins can create new groups in Box from AD and easily add or remove users from within a Box group."

These features appear to address security in creative ways without adding significant complexity to the product, which has been a goal of Box's from the beginning. Box.net will continue to fight to find that balance as it tries to make the product palatable for a more sophisticated enterprise market.

For more information:
- see the Box.net press release

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