Advanced secure file transfer solutions, like managed file transfer (MFT) servers, are no doubt more expensive than run-of-the-mill file transfer software. In fact, you can get a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server or even a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) server for free. Many operating systems already have SFTP servers built-in, so they’re readily available at no additional cost. 

File transfer environments, with their many moving parts and frequent handling of sensitive data, require multiple layers of security. Here are 11 proven security tactics we’ve outlined for quick consumption. Feel free to go over them while on the go. 

Zero-day exploits are currently one of the most prevalent cyber attacks impacting file transfer solutions. We won’t go into specifics, but a recent file-transfer-related data breach that impacted almost a million individual records was caused by a zero-day exploit. 

Scheduled file transfers offer significant operational, strategic and technical benefits. They allow your IT staff to save time and improve productivity. They also help ensure that data transfers for time-sensitive business processes are consistently carried out on time. Lastly, they enable you to maximize computing resources and network bandwidth when you schedule the transfers to run after office hours. 

File transfer data breach risk: Real or overstated?

Managed file transfer (MFT) vendors often highlight security as a key differentiator between MFT and traditional file transfer solutions. With their vast array of enterprise-grade security controls, MFT solutions are understandably more capable of protecting data and file transfer workflows. But are all these controls truly necessary? 

When you transfer documents as part of business operations, security is crucial. The growing volume of sensitive information involved in these activities puts businesses at greater risk of a data breach. If that information falls into the wrong hands, your business could suffer from reputational damage, lawsuits, regulatory penalties and other business-impacting consequences. 

When you decide to adopt a cloud-first strategy for your business file transfer and file sharing workflows, you should consider several critical factors. Your Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) secure file transfer solution must not only align with your organization’s security needs, but it should also support compliance requirements, promote user adoption, simplify IT management, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and enable business process automation. 

For several decades, SFTP, which stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol or SSH File Transfer Protocol, has been arguably the most widely used solution for transferring sensitive data across the internet. In the past few years, however, we’ve seen increased adoption of what’s known as SFTP cloud. 

When it comes to securely transferring files over the internet, the SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) stands out as one of the most trusted and reliable solutions available. Its core security features make it extremely popular among organizations that handle sensitive data. Many of our customers, spanning diverse sectors such as financial services, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, logistics, defense, research, aerospace and e-commerce, rely on SFTP to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of their data transfers.