they allow for encrypted transfer of files and hence represent a risk to medical records This could go either way, actually. Unencrypted transfer of files is o

they allow for encrypted transfer of files and hence represent a risk to medical records This could go either way, actually. Unencrypted transfer of files is obviously risky and if it's through a 3rd party provider (AOL, GTalk, etc.) then there is a risk of confidential medical information being intercepted. Alternatively, maybe there needs to be internal records of who has sent or received which files. Encrypting files makes it harder for the administration to know who has what. I'm leaning towards the first explanation of the danger of unencrypted file exchange, but I could be wrong.