Dropbox Education
Background
Dropbox is a secure data storage and smart workspace for time and location-independent team collaboration that can be used as an alternative to bwSync&Share and OneDrive if Teamdrive does not sufficiently fulfil the necessary requirements.
As the university is responsible for official data and the necessary control is only possible with the Dropbox business solution (Dropbox Education), the university has concluded a business contract with Dropbox.
Therefore, do not use a personal Dropbox account for business purposes under any circumstances, but only Dropbox Education; access can be granted via the WebShop can be ordered via the WebShop.
Framework
Use is possible as long as
- the rules of use are observed,
- you have consented to the processing of your personal data,
- you have familiarised yourself with the information on data protection,
- you are aware of your responsibility for barrier-free content.
Authorised user groups
Since the end of 2018, we have been offering this service to members of the university for business use.
How to order
The service can be ordered via the WebShop.
Installation
Dropbox can be used in a variety of ways.
- Desktop application (Windows, MacOS and Linux)
- Web application
- Chrome app
- iOS app
- Android app
Further information
Dropbox offers a comprehensive help centre and there is an active English-speaking community.
External collaboration partners
You can share files and folders with third parties via a link. You can protect this link with a password and set an expiry date.
Detailed explanation of sharing
However, it is not possible to edit the shared files and folders at the same time, as versioning conflicts may arise.
The integrated Paper service in Dropbox Education makes it possible to edit documents together at the same time.
Support
Our IT support offers deadline-level support. If we are unable to help, we will fall back on Dropbox support.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't the free personal Dropbox account be used for business purposes?
The university is responsible for official data. The university must comply with numerous regulations such as archive law, data protection law, budget law and tax law. The necessary control is only possible with the Dropbox business solution. In addition, with a personal Dropbox account, the contract is only between you and Dropbox; the university has concluded the business contract.
How can I use Dropbox more securely?
We recommend enabling two-step verification at login and regularly checking your account activity.
You can also use Cryptomator or Veracrypt, for example, to additionally secure data that requires special protection against unauthorised access.
Is Dropbox secure as a service?
Dropbox has extensive security certifications. However, there is no such thing as 100% security.
The data is stored at rest in Frankfurt and Dropbox has a certificate in accordance with BSI C5, which would even allow federal authorities to use it in appropriate cases.
Can personal data be processed by Dropbox, a US company, at all?
Yes, as long as Dropbox offers suitable legal guarantees. Dropbox processes the files and folders as a processor exclusively in accordance with instructions for the provision of the service, including further development and support. Dropbox relies on the standard contractual clauses as guarantees.
News
The Dropbox blog provides information about new features.
