How to Transfer Large Files

1. Using Free Tools to Transfer Large Files

Should you use a free tool? That depends. For sending one-off documents that don't require any security precautions or privacy, a free tool could work great. But free – especially when it comes to sensitive data – is typically too good to be true.

Whether you need to maintain strict confidentiality, meet compliance requirements, or provide audit trails, sending large files with a free method typically is not the best way to send files securely. The free tools you may find in an online search rarely have the security necessary to protect your data as it moves from A to B.

Keep reading: No Such Thing as Free File Transfer 

2. Sending Files Over Email

Email works to transfer large files until you start to approach the file size limit – but isn’t necessarily the best way to send large files securely.

3. What About FTP?

While both free and popular, FTP is outdated and doesn’t meet today’s cybersecurity standards. Sending files via FTP exposes your data to security breaches, and there are many new, more secure document transfer options that have taken FTP’s place.

Keep reading: Is FTP Dead? 

Watch: Replacing FTP Scripts with Managed File Transfer 

4. Homegrown Scripts

Homegrown scripts can have time-consuming upkeep and might not stay current with evolving hazards. Plus, these often rely on the original author to make quick changes. While they may begin life as cost-effective solutions to sending files here and there, the constant updates, fixes, and re-writes end up taking up more and more time, while still not meeting all your secure document transfer needs.

5. Secure File Transfer 

Secure file transfer systems, like managed file transfer (MFT) solutions, can simplify and streamline the exchange of authorized data between organizations and their trading partners. They are flexible, encrypted, and centralized to fit into your current processes, translate data between popular formats, and track data movements. MFT solutions can support popular transmission protocols, safeguard file transfers through modern encryption technology and authentication, and give administrators greater control and insight over data movements.

• Does your solution have a “resume transfer” option or delivery receipt? What happens if your file doesn’t make it to its destination? Are you informed?
• Is your data secure as it moves from A to B?
• How long does it take your file to get to your recipient?
• Does the tool you’re using to send large files expose your servers?
• Is your solution better at sending large files once in a blue moon, or sending files on a recurring basis? Can it do both?

If your organization needs assurance that big files transfers will be executed without a hitch, it’s time to look at a more robust solution.

Transferring large files to specific recipients is one way to get data from point A to point B. But using a shared app or folder can facilitate collaborative changes. Many cloud-based file sharing tools, like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox, make sending large files simple. Upload files to the platform and simply assign users access to individual documents or entire folders. Most file sharing tools limit your storage space based on the subscription plan, but still make sharing large files straightforward.

For organizations that need to exchange large files securely with internal users but want to avoid the cost and lack of security controls that come with a mainstream file sharing product, there are options! Consider secure document transfer solutions like GoAnywhere’s Secure Mail, Secure Folders, or GoDrive to support your internal file transfer requirements. All of these are affordable, practical, and easy to use.

Learn more about large file transfers for peer-to-peer exchange > 

Also known as EFSS, Enterprise File Sync and Sharing tools help organizations of all sizes sync and share information in the cloud, on-premise, and across multiple locations. An advanced EFSS allows your users to secure document tranfers remotely, from wherever they happen to be working.

Don’t let the word enterprise scare you off from EFSS if you’re a small business. Enterprise solutions are well-suited solutions to help organizations adhere to business-related security standards and compliance regulations.

1. Whether you’re sending files in bulk, collaborating on a sensitive document, simply need to send large files – or perhaps all three – a secure file transfer system worth implementing should let you easily share files securely in a variety of ways.
2. They’re primed to helping organizations comply with data security laws and regulations.
3. They integrate seamlessly with other data security solutions for more layers of protection around your files and file transfer.
4. Some enterprise secure document transfer solutions combine the convenience of file sharing with the security of a file transfer tool; using a centralized tool makes managing your file sharing and transfer needs easy.
5. Unlimited file sharing: with an enterprise file sharing solution or collaboration tool, you’re not limited by arbitrary file size limits or any number of files you can send every day, week, month, or year, so business can run smoothly – no more last-minute scrambles for a way to get your data to the right people.