MFT, or managed file transfer, is a technology platform that makes it possible for organizations to exchange electronic data in a secure way to meet compliance requirements. It can be delivered as software or as a service and may include a centralized view of visibility and governance. These data movements Managed File Transfer can occur both inside and outside an enterprise and include both sensitive and compliance-protected data.
Data and file transfer using MFT are more reliable and efficient than other methods, such as file transfer protocol (FTP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and secure file transfer protocol (SFTP).
It is becoming increasingly evident that organizations rely on MFT to support their business objectives in a way that FTP cannot accomplish. In addition to data security gaps, lack of visibility when a problem occurs, manual recovery from failures, and expensive SLA fees due to poor performance, FTP poses many challenges (PDF, 6.1 MB).
What Is MFT?
MFT is a file transfer method that allows users to upload files to a cloud storage server from any internet-connected device, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. With MFT, users can send and receive files between their device and a storage account in the cloud, which means they can access and edit files from anywhere.
With MFT, users can also download files from a cloud storage server back to their devices. In this way, they can use their device to download photos from a Dropbox account and then upload them to another service, like Google Drive. They can even use this method to download videos from YouTube and so on. The beauty of MFT is that it works with any device, not just computers. Users can also access the service from their mobile phones, tablets, or smart TVs. MFT is one of the more popular cloud storage services out there, and for a good reason. It offers a free tier of service that includes 2GB of online storage while paying users can get up to 1TB of space.
The benefits of managed file transfers
The need for data exchange solutions will continue to grow because businesses are no longer islands, and business networks require the kind of service that only purpose-built software can provide,” said Stewart Bond, director of Data Integration and Integrity Software Research at IDC.
According to a Vanson-Bourne study sponsored by IBM, companies exchange electronic file data every day. 51% of system-to-system integration is accomplished via file transfers.
The efficient movement of files between internal systems and external providers, securely and with an audit trail, is critical to the success of a business. Without MFT software, unstructured data – everything from reports to contracts to customer data – is vulnerable to manipulation and loss.
Here are a few reasons why companies move to MFT:
- Data Security
High-profile data breaches can severely damage a company’s reputation and bottom line. MFT provides a comprehensive security approach that includes real-time monitoring, validation of security policies and controls, and data security in transit and at rest.
- Data Growth
Data is everywhere, and companies deal with larger and more diverse files than in the past. There have been more users sharing files and more devices and endpoints. As files grow, it takes longer to move them over global distances. MFT provides reliable, automated governance to the movement of files inside and outside an organization and the ability to accelerate big data movement around the world.
- Regulatory Compliance
Data security standards are usually stringent for legislative and industry requirements, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), Basel II, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). By encrypting, transmitting, monitoring, and storing sensitive data through correctly configured MFT systems, organizations can meet security mandates.