It brings up an interesting choice. By nature, SFTP and MFT solutions both work to protect data in transit. They both authenticate trading partner connections with a combination of user IDs, passwords, or keys, and they both help satisfy strict requirements for data security laws like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and the GDPR. So what’s the difference? Is one better than the other for your organization?
SFTP
SFTP (which stands for FTP over SSH) is a secure FTP protocol that transmits files over secure shell (SSH). SSH gives SFTP its secure “oomph” because it provides organizations with a high level of protection for its file transfers. SFTP also implements AES, Triple DES, and similar algorithms to encrypt the files that transfer between systems.
For authentication, SFTP users have several choices. They can test a connection with a user ID and password, an SSH key, or a combination of a password and SSH key. This is highly beneficial for organizations that need to implement stronger security measures around their file transfer processes and user access.
Organizations can purchase inexpensive SFTP file transfer tools, but these tools rarely offer automation, auditing, monitoring, or other key features that make file transfers easier, more secure, and more affordable to execute.
What is Managed File Transfer?
Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a solution that encompasses all aspects of file transfer processes, including workflows, security, administration, and auditing, from a centralized interface. Instead of only sending secure file transfers like an SFTP client does, MFT solutions also protect data at rest, schedule and automate batch transfers, encrypt files with industry standards like Open PGP and AES, allow users to safely collaborate with others in the cloud or on-premises, track file transfer activity for compliance and reporting, and much more.
MFT file transfer solutions do everything SFTP tools can do, and then some. Managed file transfer is worth considering for organizations that want to simplify their file transfer processes from multiple tools or legacy scripts down to a single solution that easily integrates with web and cloud services like SharePoint, Dropbox, and JIRA.
When to Choose SFTP vs. MFT
Choose an SFTP solution if…
If you need a free or otherwise inexpensive way to send and receive secure file transfers to a handful of trading partners, an SFTP server and client tool might suit you. You can achieve basic needs like authenticating your users, transferring unlimited files per server connection, and controlling your port usage.
Choose an MFT solution if…
If you need a way to streamline all aspects of your file transfers, a managed file transfer solution is the better choice.With MFT, you can choose to transfer files using several secure FTP protocols, including SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and AS2. Alerts are sent by email, text, or system message for any file transfer failures, connection retry and auto-resume are available, and every SFTP (or other secure FTP protocol) transmission is tracked and audited to help you meet strict in-house and compliance requirements.MFT solutions can also help with initiatives like automation, user-to-user file sharing, clustering for maintaining maximum high availability, web and cloud integrations for popular applications, and PDF reports on critical system information.
