Securing data exchanges in the cloud
In all industries, we are becoming more and more familiar with the “as a Service” model, which is gaining popularity with customers and suppliers.
Managed File Transfer as a Service (MFTaaS) has become a must-have solution for companies looking to secure and automate sensitive data transfers. With the growth of increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, MFTaaS offers a tailored response to today’s challenges.
SaaS (Software as a Service) is now well-known among companies and ranks as a software distribution model that allows providers to host specific software in the cloud and make it available to end users. SaaS solutions eliminate the need to purchase hardware, install it in-house, and keep it up to date.
The “MFT PaaS” or “MFT Platform-as-a-Service” provides the infrastructure (hosting) and the platform (software) to companies. This gives you control over your workflows, partner integrations, and data exchanges while benefiting from a secure and scalable environment.
Market Growth and Trends
The global MFT market is expanding. In 2023, it was valued at $2.5 billion and is expected to reach $4.52 billion by 2029, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2% according to Globenewsire.
This dynamic is fueled by several factors such as:
- The increase in data security and regulatory compliance requirements related to IT such as: the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, the Data Governance Act (DGA) adopted in 2023, the Digital Services Act (DSA) which came into force in 2024, DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) which appeared in 2024/2025, the reform of electronic invoicing planned for 2026, etc. These regulations introduce new measures for companies to adopt, under penalty of fines, in order to secure, protect and centralize data.
- The growth of cloud and hybrid IT environments. According to Gminsights, On-Premise MFT accounted for 64% of the market share in 2024.
The ability to process large amounts of data while spending little on infrastructure development is driving the use of the cloud. Hybrid methods are on the rise, as they incorporate an acceptable level of security and flexibility. This allows for remote access while being managed on-site.
- The workforce and the use of human resources with advanced technological skills is essential. Training and technology monitoring are imperative to stay up to date with technological developments. However, recruitment in France has been difficult in recent years. With 5.8 million job offers published in the first half of 2024 across all sectors, the recruitment market is still showing signs of slowing down.
The benefits of MFTaaS
Enhanced security
MFTaaS solutions incorporate advanced security protocols such as AES-256 encryption, multi-factor authentication, and strict access control mechanisms. They also provide full traceability of transfers, making it easier to audit and comply with standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX.
Process automation
MFTaaS helps automate file transfers, reducing human error and improving operational efficiency. It also offers scheduling, real-time monitoring, and alert management capabilities, ensuring proactive transfer management.
Regulatory compliance
MFTaaS solutions are designed to meet the compliance requirements of regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and the public sector. They offer reporting, data retention, and access management capabilities, making it easier to comply with regulations.
Flexibility and scalability
As a cloud-based service, MFTaaS offers great flexibility and scalability. Businesses can adjust their needs as their business grows, without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.
Cost savings
Implementing SaaS saves on hardware maintenance and upgrade costs, as these are already taken care of by SaaS. Add to that the scalability of the solution, which helps manage expenses, and SaaS is a cost-effective solution.
Dedicated teams of MFT experts
With Platform-as-a-Service, you also have the option to switch to “MFTServices”. This means that in addition to benefiting from the infrastructure and software hosted by the provider, you can also count on experts who take care of the complete management of your instances.
No need to recruit or train your teams, you have direct access to specialists who take care of the development, maintenance and troubleshooting of all file transfer workflows.
The disadvantages of MFT in the cloud
Let’s face it, the cloud can also have disadvantages.
While MFTaaS offers significant benefits, it can be a significant upfront investment, especially for small businesses. Subscription, training, and onboarding costs can be a barrier to adoption.
Integrating MFTaaS with legacy systems can be complex, especially in heterogeneous IT environments. This often requires specialized technical skills and can lead to extended deployment times. However, this impact can just as easily occur with an On-Premise structure. The migration may only take longer depending on the expertise provided.
The adoption of MFTaaS also implies a certain dependence on the service provider. Businesses need to ensure the supplier’s reliability, security, expertise, and compliance, as well as continuity of service in the event of a problem.
The location of the data centers is also an important part. As the cloud pioneers are in the United States, this can be a hindrance for some companies. Between jet lag, language and European regulations, it is sometimes difficult to operate with these giants with attractive prices.
BlueFinch-ESBD and MFTaaS
Since the expansion of the cloud, many of our customers have been asking us for a SaaS solution. This is now possible thanks to our various European partnerships.
Cegeka and BlueFinch-ESBD Managed File Transfer
This new managed file transfer offering is the result of a collaboration between BlueFinch-ESBD and Cegeka, driven by a shared commitment to provide a “Made in EU” MFT service offering.
The Cegeka & BlueFinch-ESBD Managed File Transfer offer offers two tailor-made service packages: MFTPaaS and MFTServices.
MFTPaaS is a secure and scalable platform designed to manage the exchange of critical business data between systems, employees, customers, and partners.
Our MFTPaaS solution ensures compliance with industry data protection standards by providing the encryption, automation, and monitoring needed to improve the security and operational efficiency of your business.
MFTPaaS provides the hosting and file transfer software, GoAywhere MFT, which allows companies to control their workflows, partner integrations, and data exchanges while benefiting from a secure and scalable environment.
MFTServices, on the other hand, offers a fully outsourced approach.
Beyond hosting, updates, and patches, we support the development, maintenance, and troubleshooting of all file transfer workflows. You can easily request new configurations and monitor service performance through a dedicated customer portal, without the need for in-house MFT expertise.
This solution is particularly suitable for companies that want to offload the complexity of MFT management while ensuring seamless, secure and compliant file transfers.
Le Luxembourg
We work closely with DEEP (Post Luxembourg) and Capgemini to offer MFTaaS solutions to our clients. For more information, please contact our experts at sales@bluefinch-esbd.com.
Future Cloud Outlook
Managed File Transfer as a Service is an effective solution for companies wishing to secure and automate their data exchanges. Despite some implementation and dependency challenges, the benefits in terms of compliance, efficiency, and flexibility make it a strategic choice for many organizations. It is essential to properly assess the specific needs of the business and choose an MFTaaS service provider that is reliable and complies with regulatory requirements.
In addition, the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain, will improve the security, automation and traceability of file transfers in the near future. That’s why BlueFinch-ESBD strives to find you the most suitable partnerships to meet your technical challenges and needs.
