Secure File Transfer

To ensure a secure file transfer, companies need to consider a number of factors. This includes user authentication, remote system identification verification, data encryption, and data security. Below, we try to explain briefly why they are important.

In the past, there was only one file transfer mechanism that was widely used by companies: FTP. Unfortunately, FTP was nowhere near what you would call a secure file transfer mechanism. It used clear text passwords that were easily accessed by eavesdroppers. Obviously more secure user authentication procedures were needed.

Data packets that are transmitted over the Internet never go straight to their target recipients. Because of this, some packets can be hijacked along the way by systems that pretend to be the said recipients. As such, more elaborate remote system identification verification procedures have to be in place.

Data encryption and security are two different but closely interrelated factors that have to be considered for an optimally secure file transfer. A well encrypted data will prevent infiltrators to interpret it. This will render the data useless to them. On the other hand, data security deals with the prevention of data modification, whether it has been interpreted or not.

One secure file transfer mechanism that has an answer to all the concerns specified above is SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol a.k.a. Secure File Transfer Protocol). This is one reason why many companies now prefer SFTP over other secure file transfer mechanisms.