Box is a cloud-based storage and collaboration service. It allows you to collaborate on large files with your colleagues and external individuals.
Features and benefits
Box offers a secure and scalable solution that meets compliance requirements while ensuring unified policies are applied across every workload and device.
Features include:
- Easy-to-use tools including the ability to edit, share, and restrict documents with a single click.
- Simple document sharing and collaboration, internally and externally, using Microsoft Office and Apple/Google tools in a shared file repository
- Deleted files and folders can be restored up to 60 days after deletion
What can I store in Box?
Box is the preferred cloud storage location for non-sensitive research and external collaboration data, and can be used for all your collaborative storage needs. SharePoint should continue to be used for collaborative corporate data and OneDrive for corporate personal data where possible.
Sensitive data
It is your responsibility to review the sensitivity of any data you store on Box.
You can find out more about sensitive data on the Data Protection webpages.
If you believe you have or may have sensitive data and wish to discuss storage options further, please complete our dedicated ASK form.
ICT are working to improve the user experience and provide tools so you can classify your own data, and we will continue to update this webpage with information.
How much space will I get?
You will initially receive a 200GB allocation when creating a Box account, further space may be requested by submitting a ticket to the Box Support team.
ICT will be contacting high volume users to migrate their research data to Box.
Please be mindful of your storage and ensure data is relevant and still required.
Access and permissions
Box is authenticated and accessed via single sign-on - you can use your Imperial username and password to log in to your account.
If you are collaborating with external individuals on files you have stored in Box, the Box site owner is responsible for ensuring that all external users are aware of their responsibility to comply with Imperial's Information Security Policy.
Training and support
Imperial are currently negotiating a long-term deal with Box that is expected to last five years with an option to extend. You can use Box with confidence that it will be supported now and into the future and you can plan accordingly regarding your research data storage.
Staff can access training via the Box Education website:
- Box for beginners playlist
- Box support article with videos split by skill level
If you require further support, please complete our dedicated ASK form.
Page last updated 26.06.2025
Box improvements
Shield threat detection has been applied to all Box accounts. This has set:
- Anomalous download rules that detect account holders who use their access to steal data or access restricted content
- Malicious content rules that rapidly identify and mitigate malware attacks, protecting you and your content
- Replacing FTP with FTPS (encrypted) technology to ensure security levels are maintained
- Introducing file classifications, e.g. Confidential, Highly Confidential with associated restrictions on sharing and downloading
- Multi-Factor Authentication when logging in for external collaborators