What is Managed File Transfer?

Managed file transfer (MFT) is defined by Gartner as “a technology that provides the secure transfer of data in an efficient and a reliable manner.” That simple description fails to illustrate how sophisticated the functionality of MFT Software is. However, when utilised effectively, Managed File Transfer tools and technology can become an essential part of any businesses IT toolkit. Coviant Software’s Diplomat MFT managed file transfer software is built with PGP encryption, process automation, reporting, alerting, auditing, and other integral features that support critical business operations like data management, data security, and compliance programs. Diplomat MFT integrates with all the cloud storage providers, including Azure, AWS S3, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Box, Dropbox, and Citrix Sharefile, and it installs in minutes—no special tools or scripts are needed. Best of all, Diplomat MFT is easy to use, helping to make our organization run more efficiently and more securely. Those extra features and security are what sets MFT apart from traditional file transfer tools, such as command line FTP and custom scripting with CRON jobs, Python, shell scripts, cURL, or similar code. With MFT, organizations have the ability to secure files both in transit and at rest, while also supporting critical reporting and auditing of file activity. Let’s take a closer look at those other options.

Why choose MFT Software for secure data and file transfer?

It's important to consider the risks, costs, and hassles associated with data and file transfer. Using lesser file transfer alternatives that are insecure can create high-level business risk and potential data breaches. One study by Stanford University suggests that human error plays a role in 88% of data breaches. That includes mistakes like transmitting files containing highly sensitive information in the clear, or to the wrong recipient. Process automation Coviant Software has built into the Diplomat MFT family of products ensures that your files are encrypted before sending, that they’ve been sent to the correct organization, and that every step of the file transfer process is documented so that you can prove compliance. Some people think they can save a few dollars using a do-it-yourself approach to file transfer, but that puts your organization at risk even more. Our team has many decades of combined experience and expertise in managed file transfer technology, designing and delivering a product with all the things FTP, SFTP, FTPS, can’t do, and all the things do-it-yourselfers haven’t yet figured out. And we offer Diplomat MFT at a fair price. Coviant Software customers can take comfort in knowing Diplomat MFT is available and reliable when needed, secure from start-to-finish, and has the scalability to handle the most demanding file transfer tasks. That’s because Diplomat MFT was designed to solve the problems you’re facing and at a cost that makes sense.

What are the advantages of Secure Managed File Transfer?

Managed file transfer is secure, reliable, and scalable to ensure your most sensitive and business critical files get where they need to be securely, when they need to be there. There are many benefits with MFT Software some of them include enhancing a cybersecurity strategy, tightening compliance as well as preventing data breaches and data loss. By automating secure file transfers with mft software means businesses can limit and minimise human error.

What are common features of MFT?

Managed file transfer boasts process automation that ensures built-in processes like encryption, scheduling, documentation, error reports, notifications, and confirmations occur without human intervention.

What does MFT cost and why do prices vary widely?

Managed file transfer is a mature technology with a well-defined role in data management and security. Some vendors inflate their costs with unnecessary options, or by bundling their MFT products with other technologies. Coviant Software offers Diplomat MFT at a fair price that is often a fraction of what others charge.

Will Diplomat MFT help my business comply with data privacy and security regulations like GDPR, HIPAA-HITECH, GLBA, SOX, etc.?

Managed file transfer can play a key role in a data privacy and security program by ensuring sensitive files are transferred securely and reliably. Read this for more information about how Diplomat MFT supports compliance programs.

How does MFT software help to reduce business risk and prevent cyber security attacks?

Managed File Transfer is not a cybersecurity tool per se, however it is a secure data management tool. Because it automates the encryption of files sent and received, Diplomat MFT can play an important role in keeping data safe from threat actors and accidental exposures leading to a data breach.

What should I consider when choosing between Managed File Transfer Vendors?

There are many different managed file transfer vendors out there to choose from, offering similar software tools and packages. However, it's important that you choose the right MFT Vendor and software solution for your business, which is fit-for-purposed and future-proofed. We advise that you capture the current set-up along with any file transfer challenges you may be encountering and then book in a consultation call or free demo session which most vendors do offer. It's important as a business you are clear on your requirement. This way a potential vendor will be in a good position to let you know whether or not their software is a good fit for your business requirements. You may want to consider checking out review or comparison websites to try and gauge an independent, unbiased view on your potential choice of vendors. MFT Pricing can vary greatly so it is always worth obtaining a few quotes for comparison and understand what you will be getting for your money. Be armed with as many questions as possible and be honest about your concerns and reservations. For example, we are used to getting asked about Cybersecurity measures, PGP Encryption, Compliance, Automation Capabilities, Replication functionality, Data Integrity, Minimizing Business Risk & Human Error and much more. For those clients with technical know-how who are looking to move away from custom scripted / DIY coded solutions, you may want to enquire about a free trial so you can get a feel for a low code, no code solution like Diplomat MFT.

Diplomat MFT vs Cerberus FTP

SCHEDULE A DEMO OR DISCUSSION >

Why choose Diplomat MFT?

Best-value MFT Solution

Over 20 years experience

Easy-to-use Automation Capabilities

Easily Meet Security Mandates

Are you considering an alternative to Cerberus FTP?

Cerberus is a software developer and maker of a well known FTP server used by some organizations to host and receive files as a part of their secure file transfer process. Cerberus FTP Server also offers rudimentary file transfer automation, but many customers are unsatisfied with the level of process automation available . And as an organization’s managed file needs increase in size, frequency, and complexity, Cerberus’ weaknesses–like a lack of integral PGP support and management and secure edge gateway–become even more apparent.

What’s more, Diplomat MFT is secure by design. Cerberus FTP lacks support for PGP encryption and has no Edge Gateway, so file transfers and authentication take place in an internet-accessible box, leaving files and accounts exposed to nefarious actors—a weakness that has been exploited by threat actors with devastating effect. With Diplomat MFT’s Edge Gateway technology, secure file transfers are securely tunneled through to your back-end network without requiring any inbound holes in your back-end firewall, and neither files nor authentication is stored in the risk-laden, Internet-accessible DMZ.

If managed file transfer security, efficiency, and reliability is important to you, it’s time to step up to Diplomat MFT.

WHY CONSIDER DIPLOMAT MFT?

Our Diplomat Managed File Transfer (MFT) platform is a complete, purpose-built solution that replaces your Cerberus FTP server to provide all the automated, secure, enterprise-classMFT functionality you need:



Built-in PGP encryption, decryption and management - no scripting required!



No-code event manager with virtually unlimited capacity and concurrency.



Supports point-and-click automated file transfers over numerous protocols, including: SFTP, FTP/S, HTTP/S, Local Filesystems, Network File Servers, AS2, and many cloud storage providers (AWS S3, Azure Files, MS Sharepoint, Google Cloud Storage, Oracle Cloud Storage, Box, Dropbox, Citrix Sharefile, Biscom Transit, and any S3 API compatible storage.



Automatic process data capture for complete auditability



Delivery notification and incident notification, integrating with your existing enterprise tools like Slack, MSFT Teams, email, and more.



Ethical and transparent pricing, and our industry’s best rated customer and technical support.

EXPLORE DIPLOMAT MFT

If you have questions, please reach out to schedule a discussion and quick demonstration of Diplomat MFT. Or you can take Diplomat MFT for a free 15-day test drive with no obligations.

FILE TRANSFER SERVER

Max Connections

Virtual Directories

Users & Groups

Detailed Logs

Full IPv6

OpenSSL 3

FTP

FTP with TLS/SSL (FTPS)

SOAP Control API

IP Allow/Deny Lists & Auto-Banning

Geoblocking

Web Administration

SSH2 SFTP and SCP

Public Key Authentication

FIPS 140-2 Cryptography

Active Directory Integration

LDAP Integration

CRL & CA Support

Client Cert Verification

Server Replication

Enhanced Automation & Security

HTTP/S Web Client

Event Support

Email Notification

File Retention Policies

Web Account Requests

Ad Hoc File Sharing

Folder Automation Events

Azure AD SSO Support

Agents

Advanced Stats & Reporting

Mission-Critical Performance & Support

Rogue Transfer Detection & Shutdown

Out-of-the-Box Performance Testing

Automated Network Scanning

24/7/365 Severity 1 Support

Remote Support

Upgrade Planning & Assistance

DR, Test or Dev License

Migration Support for JSCAPE MFT

DIPLOMAT MFT ENTERPRISE

Unlimited

Transfer Only

No Auto banning - can whitelist

(Including Slack & Teams)

(Additional cost)

(Assistance at an additional cost)