Managed file transfer services are essential for most American businesses. Everyone wants easy file transfer solutions but it is more important to have secure file transfer solutions. After all, cybercrime has become a serious concern for many in the business world as well as for those in government. Last year, unprecedented breaches of security occurred in businesses across the the United States, large and small, including Target, Home Depot, J.P. Morgan, and most infamously Sony Pictures. Even the mighty U.S. military wasn’t impenetrable. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had its YouTube and Twitter accounts hacked last January. If one of the largest military forces on Earth was unable to protect its digital assets, it just goes to show how vital it is for businesses, especially those that deal with sensitive costumer information, to set up safe data delivery services and data loss prevention solutions.
There are a variety of managed file transfer services available for businesses but two in particular stand out:
- File Transfer Protocol: File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, is a standard method of data transfer. It enables various clients, or “hosts,” to transfer digital files to and from via a main server. It features separate controls and instructions for the clients and the server in order to bolster security.
- Secure File Transfer Protocol: Secure File Transfer Protocol, or SFTP, is another standard data transfer service that uses a private and secured data stream to safeguard sensitive information. It is popular for clients that want to limit their data transfers to a separate but safe streaming line.
There are other managed file transfer protocols and services available but the important thing is to have at least one in place. Also make sure to have back-up protocols in case any of your data is compromised or lost. In 2013, nearly two-thirds of all recovery operations failed outright. If your business would like to avoid that fate, look into managed file transfer services.
