Cloud-based managed file transfer (MFT) solutions make sense from a scalability, flexibility, and cost standpoint. But with billions of dollars at stake to keep valuable and sensitive data secure, news reports of hackers exploiting vulnerabilities that can affect even on-premises servers are understandably frightening. Some may wonder, is there such a thing as a secure cloud MFT solution?
How secure is cloud MFT?
Modern MFT provides a reliable way to transfer critical business data internally and externally, with built-in security features like data encryption.
What often happens, Axway Chief Product Officer Vince Padua notes, is that many organizations are running outdated systems, with solutions that have been around for decades.
“These file transfer ecosystems are sometimes constructed in a very ad hoc fashion, perhaps for a specific purpose, in a one-off manner where speed was the priority,” says Padua. “But in an increasingly complex world with sprawling B2B ecosystems, these ad hoc solutions open the door to significant vulnerabilities.
“To put it bluntly: a less expensive Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution might be simpler, but these also tend to have gaps and foundational limitations in the way their security was architected,” Padua concludes. (Read more of his thoughts here.)
Robust cloud MFT solutions, on the other hand, are owned and operated by third-party providers, requiring less maintenance and upgrades from internal IT teams. Cloud MFT is faster and more cost-effective to set up and can be configured in flexible cloud deployments.
Importantly, these providers are backed by the work of world-class security experts to create an infrastructure that meets today’s most stringent security standards. And with a managed cloud service, the managed cloud MFT provider has a team of experts actively involved in protecting your enterprise against the latest threats.
Modern managed file transfer solutions should include end-to-end encryption, audit trails, and access controls that make it harder for cybercriminals to access sensitive information.
Look for the ability to monitor file transfer activity from a single administration console, which offers end-to-end visibility that makes it easier to detect recurring patterns in file transfers (for better or for worse) and prevents blind spots that can ultimately lead to cybersecurity breakdowns.
Secure MFT is proven MFT
Enterprises can’t afford to gamble with security of their critical infrastructure – and that’s precisely what MFT is for many organizations today.
Axway started managed cloud operations for MFT more than ten years ago, serving government agencies like the IRS. This mean it was essential for our personnel to have high security government certifications, and that same DNA fueled our expansion to more government, financial services, and healthcare organizations that have the highest levels of security provisions.
Today, Axway manages hundreds of thousands of connections and partner access points securely, processing millions of files per day – without any major breach or security issue.
This level of secure service capability should be the benchmark for any MFT solution.
MFT security best practices
A trusted vendor should be committed to staying up to date with the latest security threats and will take proactive steps to mitigate these threats. They will be transparent about their security practices and will work with customers to ensure that the solution is as secure as possible.
Beyond choosing a reputable provider with a strong track record of security, some best practices for cloud MFT security include:
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Implementing access controls and encryption
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Conducting regular security audits and assessments
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Training employees on cloud MFT security best practices
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Adopting a Zero Trust approach to enterprise security.
Axway MFT offers true peace of mind
With the choice to be hosted on AWS or Microsoft Azure, Axway’s cloud MFT solutions provide businesses with the experience they want – without the weight of security concerns. Businesses also have the choice between a multi-tenant cloud, a hybrid cloud approach, or a single-tenant, private cloud.
“Axway Managed File Transfer has enabled us to deploy consolidated and secure file transfer services across the state, downstream to business partners, and across a multitude of use cases. It is phenomenal how many problems we are solving using this product.”
Kevin Paddock, Supervisor of Web Services at Otech, State of California
Read the case study.
Building on the security capabilities included in major cloud providers’ infrastructure, Axway delivers a centralized command and control layer that makes it easy to visualize file transfer activity in a non-technical manner.
Our secure managed file transfer systems are designed to easily integrate with your day-to-day business operations, giving you even more control over your solution. Intelligent MFT can help offset the effects of soaring data volumes and integration complexity, evolving compliance regulations, and increasing security risks.
"It would be impossible to provide our services and meet our regulatory obligations without a solution like Axway Managed File Transfer."
Jim Martone, VP Engineering at Dun & Bradstreet
From day one, Axway’s suite of MFT solutions act as if they have been part of your company’s IT infrastructure, supporting a complete ecosystem that is built for reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness. And it’s hard to beat platinum-level SLAs with 99.99% availability.
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