How to Share Contracts and NDA Documents Securely

In the business world, contracts and NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) rank among the most sensitive documents you will ever handle. They contain deal terms, proprietary information, and legal obligations. If these documents fall into the wrong hands, the legal and financial consequences can be severe.

Yet many organizations still share these documents as email attachments or open cloud links. This guide examines the most common risks associated with NDA and contract sharing, and explains how to eliminate them with secure sharing practices.

Why Sharing NDAs and Contracts Is Risky

The Email Forwarding Problem

Once you attach a contract to an email, the recipient can forward it to anyone without restriction. A "Do Not Forward" note carries zero technical enforcement. Email servers can be breached, devices can be lost, and suddenly your confidential agreement is in hands you never intended.

Cloud Storage Vulnerabilities

Documents stored on Google Drive or Dropbox can be accessed by anyone who obtains the share link. Even when you configure granular permissions, downloaded copies are beyond your control.

Chat History Exposure

Sending contract files through Slack or Teams means those files live in chat history indefinitely. Employee departures, device theft, or account compromises can expose those records at any time.

5 Common Mistakes When Sharing Legal Documents

Mistake	Risk Level	Explanation
Attaching originals to email	High	Unlimited forwarding, copies on mail servers
Public cloud links	High	Anyone with the link can access
Sending files via messenger	Medium	Permanent chat history retention
Unprotected PDF files	Medium	Instantly readable if file is intercepted
No expiration on shares	Medium	Access persists long after it is needed

Three Principles for Secure Document Sharing

1. Access Control: Password Protection

Require a password before anyone can view the document. By sending the document link and the password through separate channels, you ensure that a breach of one channel alone does not expose the document.

2. Time Limits: Expiration Dates

If a contract review period is defined, set the same window as the link expiration. After signing is complete, keep the original on file and let the shared link deactivate automatically.

3. Audit Trail: Access Tracking

When you can see who accessed the document and when, you can respond immediately if unauthorized access occurs.

How to Share NDAs Securely with LOCK.PUB

LOCK.PUB's password-protected links let you apply all three principles in a single workflow.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Upload your document -- Place the NDA or contract on your cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.)
2. Create a protected link -- Enter the document URL on LOCK.PUB and set a password
3. Set an expiration -- Match the expiration to your review period (e.g., 7 days)
4. Share the link -- Send the LOCK.PUB link via email
5. Share the password separately -- Deliver the password by phone call or text message
6. Monitor access -- Use analytics to confirm the recipient has viewed the document

Why This Approach Works

• Without the password, the original document URL cannot be reached
• The link automatically expires after the configured period
• The original URL is never directly exposed, so search engines cannot index it
• Access analytics provide a clear record of who viewed the document and when

Sharing Method Comparison

Feature	Email Attachment	Cloud Sharing	LOCK.PUB Protected Link
Password protection	No	Limited	Yes
Expiration date	No	No	Yes
Forwarding restriction	No	Limited	Yes (password required)
Access tracking	No	Limited	Yes
Setup difficulty	Easy	Moderate	Easy
Post-signing revocation	No	Manual	Auto-expiry

Additional Tips for Legal Professionals

Version Control

Create a new protected link each time you send a revised draft. Previous versions expire automatically, preventing the other party from accidentally referencing an outdated document.

Multi-Party Contracts

For agreements involving multiple parties, create separate protected links with different passwords for each party. This allows you to manage and revoke access individually.

Audit Readiness

If you need to maintain records of document distribution, LOCK.PUB's access analytics provide evidence of who accessed each document and when.

Get Started Now

Contracts and NDAs are core business assets. Instead of attaching them unprotected to emails, share them through secure links with password protection and automatic expiration.

Create your first protected link on LOCK.PUB today.

Create a Secure Protected Link