A method and a device are provided for accessing data files of a secure file server, wherein a user or a process is authenticated; wherein access to the data files of the secure file server takes place by way of an encryption module of the secure file server; wherein the encryption module comprises an encryption agreement of a centralized security application; and wherein the access of the authenticated user or process to the secure file server takes place by way of an encrypted protocol taking into consideration the encryption agreement. Such a device may be included in a corresponding computer network.