In its youth, FTP was revolutionary. Organizations used it during the early days of the internet to transfer files, like documents and images, over internal and external channels. And though it’s been over 40 years since its creation, many people still use FTP to send and receive file transfers.
But should they? The answer is no.
It’s time to move away from FTP
In the 1970s, the internet didn’t experience the sort of malicious activity and cyber attacks that organizations face today. FTP was created before security became a much-needed consideration for file transfers, and it hasn’t changed enough since its infancy to protect file transfers from being intercepted in transit.
Despite the risks FTP and other homegrown processes bring to the table, including security vulnerabilities (e.g. passwords that are stored unencrypted and easily captured by hackers) and non-compliance with several industry regulations, many organizations still use FTP as their preferred file transfer method. Some worry changing over to a secure file transfer method would be too disruptive to their business processes. Others consider the cost of the switch as non-compatible with their budget.
Still, moving away from FTP and unsecure manual file transfers is the best thing you can do for your business data. There are secure file transfer protocols you can use, like SFTP and FTPS, that will protect your files from prying outsiders, your business from noncompliance, and your customers from compromise. And you can find these protocols (and more) wrapped up in a comprehensive, affordable package: in Managed File Transfer (MFT) software.
From FTP to MFT: What’s the benefit?
MFT software gives organizations the ability to monitor, track, and report on all file transfer activity. Security and reporting tools help meet strict requirements for compliance regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA, the GDPR, and state privacy laws, and user management features keep users from accessing data they aren’t authorized to see.
Furthermore, MFT offers IT teams the flexibility to connect with trading partners using today’s most popular secure file transfer protocols and encryption methods, including SFTP and FTPS as well as SCP, HTTPS, AS2, and OpenPGP.
Companies also use MFT software to reduce or even eliminate the time they spend on manual file transfers, user errors, and administrative costs. Managed File Transfer works to ensure that all files are delivered successfully and protected in transit as well as at rest.
If your files are highly sensitive, it’s time to make the switch from FTP and manual processes to a file transfer method that works.
What’s next? Finding the right MFT solution
To make your search for the right MFT solution easier, download this ultimate guide to evaluating MFT software. It will walk you through the five steps to finding the right solution for your organization, explain the many benefits of MFT, and give you information detailing any industry and security considerations you might have.
The guide also includes a requirements checklist, so you can evaluate different MFT solutions with confidence—and be sure you’ve found the one you need.
FTP and manual processes aren’t enough to keep your file transfers safe.
It’s time to modernize your file transfers and workflows with a solution that follows today’s cutting-edge cybersecurity practices and guidelines. Make the switch and see the benefits of efficiency and security in your organization right away.
