EchoDrop is a decentralized, ultra-secure platform built by NIST College computer science students for seamless academic file sharing and collaboration. Designed to eliminate dependence on central cloud storage providers, EchoDrop uses local WebRTC mesh networking and AES-256 end-to-end encryption to enable instantaneous, private transfer of large dataset files, code repositories, and project archives directly between peer devices across campus.
Problem Statement
- Centralized cloud file transfers expose sensitive academic research payloads to third-party data breaches.
- High latency and bandwidth throttling on public internet connections slow down large dataset transfers across campus labs.
- Fragmented file-sharing tools lack native end-to-end encryption and auditability for student project teams.
Project Objectives
- Build an end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer file sharing mesh network using WebRTC data channels.
- Ensure zero data persistence on intermediary servers to guarantee privacy and confidentiality.
- Provide instant direct transfers with real-time transfer progress, velocity feedback, and cryptographic verification.
Key Features
- Zero-knowledge peer-to-peer file transfer protocol
- End-to-end payload encryption using AES-256 GCM
- Cross-platform browser support without installing third-party software
- No file size transfer limits across local networks