I read with interest yesterday an article by Meg Suggs about Managed File Transfer.  To paraphrase the article Meg suggests that “Managed File Transfer is replacing FTP servers” as the solution of choice.

It got me thinking about what it was about Managed File Transfer that businesses wanted or needed?  First off Managed File Transfer is defined by Wikipedia as:

“Managed File Transfer (MFT) refers to software and hardware technologies that enable “secure and reliable exchange of documents between organizations.” In broader terms, Managed File Transfer suites enable organizations to automate, manage and secure the exchange of large volumes of data between two or more entities.”

So why the shift to Managed File Transfer?  Well I think Wikipedia sums it up pretty clearly, its a way of providing a little more management, automation and security throughout the file transfer process than you’d achieve with a standard FTP server or email for that matter.

Interestingly Meg also referred to an article written early last year about the inadequacies of standard FTP servers and how “an illegal database containing more than 8,700 stolen File Transfer Protocol server credentials including usernames, passwords and server addresses was found. The stolen information belonged to companies from around the world and the database allowed for anyone to purchase those credentials and use them to launch malicious attacks against the compromised systems”.

With information readily available on the Internet providing individuals with the opportunity to create havoc and bring down complete company IT infrastructure it begs the question, why do companies take the risk by implementing cheap file transfer solutions when the potential cost to their business is so huge?

In addition to the security considerations the business process should also be taken into account.  Long gone are the days when file transfer was a standalone function.  File Transfer should be fully intergrated with other processes within the business providing greater automation and efficiency.  As file transfer becomes more integrated its even more important that the information transmitted and stored is done so securely.

For those interested StingRay Managed File Transfer Server ticks all of the boxes and more information can be read here.

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