DoD Secure Access File Exchange, or DOD SAFE, is a web-based file transfer system that allows Department of Defense personnel to share large files. The service allowed Defense Department personnel and civilian employees to exchange information in a more secure environment than email.
The original version of the service, called AMRDEC SAFE, was launched by the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center in Huntsville, Ala. It was used to transfer sensitive but not classified files between government agencies and contractors. AMRDEC shut down the service temporarily last November due to security concerns, and it was restored in February.
A new version of DoD SAFE, which was launched by DISA in August, replaces AMRDEC SAFE and provides users with a DOD enterprise-wide method for securely transferring files. It includes optional package-level encryption, which means files are encrypted “at rest,” the release said.
In addition to offering an upgrade in security, DoD SAFE addresses several usability gaps that AMRDEC SAFE had. First, the system enables transfers as large as eight gigabytes. This is much larger than the 2 GB limit that AMRDEC SAFE had. Also, the service now allows for file downloads and uploads and sending 25 files at once.
Second, the site allows users to access their files for seven days rather than the two days AMRDEC SAFE had. This is an important step for military and federal personnel who have to share sensitive information with other agencies.
Third, the system has an improved user guide on the SAFE website. It also offers a number of enhancements to the drop-off screen. Selected recipients can re-send drop-offs that have expired, and there is a way to view a subset of a drop-off, the release said.
How does DOD SAFE work?
The DoD Secure Access File Exchange (DOD SAFE) is a free online service that allows DoD employees and contractors to share files too large to be sent by email. Previously, the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) operated a similar service, but it was temporarily shut down due to security vulnerabilities in 2019.
With DOD SAFE, DoD employees and third-party contractors can securely transfer files up to 8 gigabytes at a time. It also supports package-level encryption, which protects files in transit and at rest. Users can send up to 25 files at a time and use a digital certificate issued by a DoD-approved digital certificate provider to sign their emails. Additionally, DoD SAFE offers the option of an FTP client that can be used to transfer larger files.
DoD SAFE is available to all DoD employees and contractors, including U.S. military personnel and third-party contractors. The service does not support the transfer of classified information, so it’s not recommended for those who work with sensitive data. When using DoD SAFE, you will need to authenticate your identity with a Common Access Card (CAC). This is done by logging in to the DoD SAFE website and following its instructions. During the process of authentication, DoD SAFE will keep track of your file transfers and log each access. This helps identify any suspicious activity and prevents theft or fraud.
The service will also automatically delete files after they’re complete, which is a good way to protect your information from unauthorized people. You can also set up a password to prevent unauthorized access. DoD Safe is free to use and easy to sign up. You can even access it from home or on the go with its mobile app. You can also get help from trained staff.
Can anyone use DoD safe?
You can use DoD SAFE to share files of any size with others, but you must be a government or military employee. You also need a Common Access Card (CAC) to use the site. Getting a CAC can be difficult, but it’s a good idea to have it if you need to use DoD SAFE often.
DoD SAFE is a secure online file-transfer system designed for Department of Defense personnel and civilian contractors to transfer large files. It uses a network to protect sensitive information, a DoD-approved digital certificate, and other security measures.
Users can send up to 25 files at a time using a DoD-approved digital certificate bundle and an FTP client, or they can send the files via email. The site also provides a NIPRNet network, which prevents unauthorized users from monitoring your system and downloading your information.
Another way to transfer files is through FTP Today, a service similar to DoD SAFE that allows users to create secure links to upload and download documents. You can choose how many uses and days a link is valid for and control when a link expires.
You can also use a DoD-approved virtual private network, which can be useful for people who don’t have a laptop or other mobile device. Alternatively, you can use a personal email account, such as an Army-provided webmail service.
AMRDEC SAFE, the secure file exchange service used by the Aviation & Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center at Redstone Arsenal, was temporarily shuttered earlier this month after a government agency raised security concerns. AMRDEC officials said the shutdown was a preventative measure after learning of potential vulnerabilities.
Do I really need a CAC to access DoD safe?
You will need a Common Access Card (CAC) if you need to send or receive unclassified files. CACs are issued to active-duty military personnel, the National Guard and Selected Reserve, civilian employees of the Department of Defense, state employees of the National Guard, eligible contractor employees and their families.
The card is about the size of a credit card and stores 144K of data on an integrated circuit chip. This enables authentication and enhanced security for physical and logical access. It carries information about the owner, including a digital image of their face, two digital fingerprints, organizational affiliation, Social Security number and a PKI certificate.
A CAC works with virtually all modern computer operating systems. The user simply needs a reader and middleware that supports the certificate format used in the CAC. Some systems integrators offer a smartcard, reader and software middleware package for Linux.
Other companies have specialized in creating smart card hardware and software for Windows. They offer a variety of different solutions, ranging from simple readers to sophisticated readers.
In order to log into DoD SAFE, you must use a secure web browser that supports PIV certificates. This is important because it can prevent someone from gaining unauthorized access to your account.
If you aren’t sure if your computer is equipped to support PIV certificates, contact the Army Knowledge website for more information. The site has a FAQ section and can also help you with the security settings for your browser.
The process of getting a CAC is fairly difficult and only a select few people can get one. Sponsors perform background checks and the NACI process can take up to 18 months.