A method for managing a plurality of files in a communication network having a plurality of clients includes a server receiving (502) metadata associated with a secured file stored in a virtual data drive of a first client. The server also receives (504) data segments associated with the file from the virtual data drive of the first client. The server stores the metadata and data segments associated with the file at the server. The server generates (506) a first representation of the file based on the received metadata and data segments associated with the file and sends (508) the first representation of the file to the plurality of clients. Next, the server receives (510) a request from a second client for at least one data segment of the file. The server authenticates the request based on a plurality of access rights of a user of the second client and sends (512) the at least one data segment of the file to the second client when the request is authenticated.