What is Data-Centric Security and is MFT a Part of It?
When an organization’s security focus encompasses the varied technology, approaches, and policies that zero in on protecting the actual data organizations are entrusted with, versus merely the infrastructure, that strategy is considered data centric. And yes, managed file transfer (MFT) is one of the key solutions in a data-centric security architecture.
MFT is one layer of several key data-centric security solutions that should be employed if an organization is concerned about not only preventing data breaches but also in protecting the actual data they handle. With the focus on protecting data and not just building barriers to the infrastructure, MFT serves as a robust, integrated protection technology, particularly when paired with additional data-centric solutions which can understand and govern sensitive data on-premises or in the cloud.
Related Reading: Data-Centric Security: What is it and Why Does it Matter?
MFT’s Role in a Data-Centric Security Policy
While data breach headlines no longer shock and cybercrime is a “when” not “if” concern for businesses large and small, incorporating MFT is a secure, encrypted solution for exchanging files and collaborating. MFT can help protect valuable and sensitive data while it travels between senders and recipients and while it’s at rest.
Managed file transfer solutions, such as GoAnywhere MFT, can secure files via centralized, enterprise-level technology across all environments and applications with ease-of-use functionality that helps the solution be quickly adopted by users, a key aspect to ensuring data-centric technology is actually used.
What Else Besides MFT is Needed for Data-Centric Security?
When MFT is used alongside additional solutions that identify and sanitize files, managing and streamlining file transfers is both easier and more secure. MFT can be combined with solutions that deliver content analysis and adaptive data loss prevention (A-DLP), as well as digital rights management for a more rounded security strategy.
Data Classification Identifies What Content Needs Protection
Ideally, before transferring data via secure MFT, an organization’s content would be identified and classified. Data classification technology identifies and assigns values to data which can help reduce the inevitable human errors in handling, as the appropriate treatment of that data is automatically flagged and can be applied.
Visual labelling is applied to content’s metadata to help control and protect its use. And, by automatically addressing how a particular piece of data should be handled, stored, and disposed of, security risks are diminished. Management of data is more streamlined, secure, and better able to meet often stringent compliance requirements.
Related Reading: Meeting Compliance Regulations and Privacy Laws for Sensitive Data Transfers
Data Loss Protection Provides Another Security Layer
Two solutions that actually surround data intended for later transfer via MFT include data loss protection (DLP) and email security. Both can be deployed to encircle sensitive data that is otherwise vulnerable to spoofing or phishing threats, as well as inappropriate sharing, spyware, and increased ransomware attacks.
While some technology solutions act like the largest, most aggressive defenseman on the football field with an all-out “block” on suspicious transmissions, which pretty much stops the business “game,” robust DLP and email security solutions protect sensitive data through encryption and automation. However, they are sophisticated enough so that legitimate communications that have been vetted can continue, allowing business to carry on.
Related Reading: Why You Should Integrate Your MFT with DLP
Digital Rights Management Continues to Follow Sensitive Data
With MFT marching files securely to their destination, once they arrive a comprehensive data-centric security stance should include digital rights management software solution. When these digital rights are managed full circle, your organization can continue protecting sensitive data once it’s in an intended recipient's hands.
Organizations can control the available access that is granted for any data to take defined management over how that data is used and to protect the intellectual property that may be contained in the data while it is outside of the organization or even inside.
Data-Centric Security Solutions Deliver Lifecycle Security
More than ever before, organizations are managing more applications, data, networks, bring-your-own-device policies, and remote workforces. As such, data is potentially more at risk. These risks often lay beyond the “walls” of traditional, perimeter-only data security structures and therefore, require data-centric solutions.
Pairing an MFT solution with the additional data-centric security technology enables necessary collaboration while ensuring security of data throughout its lifecycle, no matter where it travels or where it lives.
GoAnywhere MFT: A Key Data-Centric Security Layer
Discover how secure, streamlined managed file transfer can be a key element of your organization’s data-centric security strategy.
