Key Features to Look for When Making the Switch to File Transfer Software
Worried about your company’s Drop Box activity? Concerned that the email signature displaying a disclaimer just isn’t cutting it? If your business engages in a lot of file sharing and collaboration, you have a lot to lose. Protect one of your greatest assets – data – by researching a more secure way to manage and transfer your files.
FTP vs. SFTP: The Benefits of Secure File Transfer
Perhaps you already have an FTP (file transfer protocol) set in place. If you don’t, there are plenty of reasons to skip it altogether. Here’s what going SFTP (secure file transfer protocol) can do for you.
The main difference with SFTP is encryption. In addition, SFTP systems often utilize public key authentication alongside your typical login credentials, creating a multifactor authentication system that’s not remotely as penetrable as the average FTP.
SFTPs also monitor the integrity and history of your data. It can track and report on where the data came from, where it landed, and if it was altered in some way along the journey. Think of SFTP has an all-seeing eye, a roving bodyguard for your data. It doesn’t just intermittently perform a wellness check.
To that end, there’s the possibility that SFTP can be used on a variety of devices. If you work remotely, or like many, deal with business-related communications and transmissions during your “off” hours, all you need is an SFTP client on your device with which to connect to that server.
Finally, there are the regulatory benefits. SFTP is a baseline must for those businesses who have to concern themselves with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and other laws. If proving compliance of any kind is necessary, there’s no excuse for skimping on security. That’s a cut corner that could cost more than your business is worth.
From SFTP to MFT: What Your New Data Transfer Solution Could Include
In the end, you may find that the benefits of secure file transfer are great, but that managed file transfer software does your business one better. After all, even SFTP isn’t the gold standard for factors like compliance. Managed file transfer is secure file transfer, except you get even more features.
The first thing is mobile capability. If, like virtually every other organization, all business isn’t conducted under one roof at the same time, your system needs to allow for secure managed transfer of files via mobile.
Second is automation. When you spend on MFT systems, you’re looking to optimize, not complicate. You should be able to schedule and monitor file transfers and access with your system, without having to spend additional funds on extensive programming.
Next, there’s transparency and reporting. Your system should give you the capability to select who is authorized to send and view what you like at the time of your choosing. Furthermore, this transparency should contribute to accurate reports that tell all, including how compliant your company is.
How certain are you that your business isn’t vulnerable to breaches and data loss? Are you under threat of noncompliance fines? If data is one of the main elements your business runs on, protect it while maintaining integrity and ease of access with a more secure file transfer solution.