Secure File Transfer

Ensuring the security of the many files organizations exchange each day is a heavy lift. A robust, enterprise-level secure file transfer solution can deliver the peace of mind organizations need that their sensitive data is secure as it travels in and out of the network. 

What is Secure File Transfer?

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Secure file transfer (SFT) is the process of how organizations can share their business-critical, often sensitive, data through a software solution, such as Managed File Transfer (MFT). By using encryption through industry standard network protocols, secure file transfer solutions ensure sensitive data is protected both in transit and at rest.

In addition to securing files in motion and at rest, a comprehensive, robust SFT solution should be able to:

  • Be deployed in the cloud, on-premises, as a SaaS, or hybrid solution
  • Audit or monitor all file transfer activity
  • Help meet compliance requirements and data security laws and regulations
  • Deliver automation features to help reduce human error and increase productivity
  • Integrate with web applications already in use

What Does SFTP Stand For?

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SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is not the same as SFT. Rather, it is a specific network protocol for securely transferring files between a client and server using SSH (Secure Shell) for authentication and encryption.

Secure File Transfer Protocol Options

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

This method encrypts any inbound web traffic and works to ensure data integrity and privacy.

Benefits of a Secure File Transfer Solution

In addition to technical features, organizations should consider the following benefits that are valuable when implementing secure file transfer software:

Ease and Speed of Implementation
Continuous Enhancements and Updates
Flexible Deployment Options
Integration
Scalability
Enhanced Encryption and File Security

Enterprise Secure File Transfer Service Advantages

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Enterprise secure file sharing is distinguished from free file transfer methods, or applications like Dropbox or Google Drive, by offering a higher level of control and automation over the file transfer process. An enterprise-level solution, like Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT offers organizations seamless collaboration, integration with other applications, robust security, and administrative controls to protect the data being exchanged within and outside of the enterprise network. Free file transfer options simply can’t offer the level of security, automation, and ability to transfer large files of a secure, managed file transfer solution.

In addition, an enterprise-level secure data transfer service or solution can provide confirmation that a file was sent and received as intended, high-availability, clustering, and detailed auditing and reporting, as required for many compliance mandates. 

A comprehensive data transfer solution delivers scalability, reliability, and responsive technical support. It should also provide notification if a transfer failed to deliver and if it was able to resume transfer where the transfer was dropped. Enterprise solutions are centralized and can quickly be ramped up to meet the needs of an organization now, and as it scales in scope.

The ability of MFT to apply automation to the process of transferring files can streamline the exchange of data over secure SFTP connections, boosting productivity and allowing enterprise teams to focus on higher-level priorities versus tedious manual file transfer processes. Multi-step projects can also be set to run without manual intervention, recurrent file transfers can be established, and all file transfer activity can be monitored, audited, and recorded to help meet compliance requirements.

Secure File Transfer Solutions

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Managed file transfer solutions, such as GoAnywhere MFT, can support the following top secure data transfer methods:

  • AS2 (Applicability Statement 2)
  • AS3 (Applicability Statement 3)
  • MFT (Managed File Transfer
  • FTPS (FTP Secure)
  • HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
  • SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)
  • SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)

Organizations have a number of choices when it comes to how they exchange data within and outside of their network securely. Whether you’re sending ad hoc email attachments containing sensitive information or exchanging thousands of business-critical files each day, the security surrounding your file data matters. Cybercrime increases each year and choosing the best secure file transfer service for your needs should be a high priority to avoid the costly impacts of a data breach.

Five Secure File Transfer Alternatives to FTP

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Which Secure File Transfer Service is Best for You?

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Choosing the best solution for the files your organization transfers each day – large, small, or batched -- requires a bit of homework upfront to ensure you’re making the right choice for your unique needs.

Whether you are transferring sensitive patient data, invoices, or other business-critical documents, you need to be sure your documents, emails, and databases are encrypted to limit the risk associated with an attack, breach, or user error.

You also need to consider your organization’s network and IT capabilities for achieving the higher level of protection needed and consider which of your options can help you meet any compliance requirements that may apply, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, FISMA, and others.

A Few Considerations When Choosing the Best Secure Data Transfer Solution:

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  • Determine which environment you plan to integrate your secure file transfer solution in before you start your search. Ask questions about how a solution works in your chosen environment and check how difficult it may be to migrate if you start on-premises and later want to move to the cloud – or vice versa
  • Keep industry-specific needs in mind when evaluating file transfer solutions to better vet what will and won’t work right away. For example, can your solution meet the healthcare industry’s requirement for auditing and reporting, or the banking and finance sector’s needs to secure data in transit and at rest to meet the Dodd-Frank Act compliance requirements? Each industry has unique needs so cross-checking your file transfer options to ensure they meet your needs is critical.
  • How well does your file transfer solution defend against data breaches and cybercrime? Consider vendors’ security and data breach defenses. A few questions (there are more) to ask potential candidates:
    • What types of encryption standards are supported?
    • Can I segment my organization into multiple security zones?
    • Can I define various permissions for separation of duties?
    • Does this solution track all user events and file transfer activity?
    • Is this solution able to integrate with malware applications to help ensure files received into your environment don’t contain viruses?
  • What features are most critical for your organization? A robust file transfer solution should offer a comprehensive features selection. You may not need all of them at first, but as your use of secure file transfer increases in your organization, you’ll be happier knowing your software solution offers the features you need when scaling usage.

 

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Secure File Transfer Diagram
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Features to look for:

  • Auditing and reporting
  • Acceleration
  • Cloud support
  • Remote agents
  • Automation
  • Data loss prevention (DLP) integration
  • Extensive security controls
  • Secure email
  • Flexible web client
  • Load balancing and clustering

Get Your Ultimate Buyer's Guide

Our Ultimate Buyer’s Guide offers comprehensive considerations, including a handy vendor comparison checklist to help your organization make the best choice from among the choices in the secure file transfer marketplace.

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Secure File Transfer FAQs

Secure file transfer is the process (or software solution) organizations can use to share their sensitive or business-critical data. Managed File Transfer (MFT) is one such solution. SFT uses encryption and industry standard network protocols to help protect data while it is in transit and at rest.

A robust SFT solution should:

  • Have flexible deployment options, including cloud, on-premises, or a SaaS, or hybrid solution
  • Audit or monitor all file transfer activity
  • Help meet requirements for compliance as well as data security laws and regulations
  • Provide automation features to help reduce human error and increase productivity
  • Integrate with web applications already in use

First, secure file transfer offers the security organizations need in today’s cybersecurity environment. From secure protocols to administrative controls, SFT helps protect the data that flows within and outside of an organization’s network. Free file transfer software can’t provide this level of security, ease-of-use and automation, nor can they handle transferring large files efficiently.

Enterprise-level SFT solutions also provide confirmation of delivery, auto-retries, high-availability, clustering so you can scale up as needed as your organizational needs change.

A robust secure file transfer solution, such as MFT can support a wide variety of protocols, including:

MFT, like GoAnywhere MFT is a secure file transfer solution options as it delivers what most organizations require of secure file transfer:

  • Auditing and reporting
  • Acceleration
  • Cloud support
  • Remote agents
  • Automation
  • Data loss prevention (DLP) integration
  • Zero Trust File Transfer integration
  • Extensive security controls
  • Secure email
  • Flexible web client
  • Load balancing and clustering

GoAnywhere: Your Best Secure File Transfer Solutions

GoAnywhere delivers the features and benefits needed by today’s organizations to protect the priceless data exchanged within and outside of the organization each day. The solution is a simple but secure file transfer method that easily lets organizations create, schedule, monitor, and process files as they are sent or retrieved. Test GoAnywhere out in your own environment with a free trial. Or request a 15-, 30-, or 60-minute demonstration.

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