Managed file transfer (MFT) software is a mature and proven technology for automating the movement of digital files between endpoints across an organization’s information supply chain. Some lightweight MFT software products can handle ad hoc transfers of ordinary information, while enterprise-grade MFT solutions are used to securely send and receive business critical files to and from internal and external destinations.
Managed File Transfer/Multi-Function Tool
Your Managed File Transfer Solution is a Multi-Function Tool
Corporate finance often requires making a case for a technology solution’s return on investment before even a modest IT purchase is okayed. That means working with your vendor of choice to understand the full scope of capabilities available in a product. Failing to do so is like buying a Swiss Army Knife and only using the knife, while ignoring the screwdrivers, fish scaler, corkscrew, tweezer, and other tools that come with it.
That’s why organizations that choose an enterprise-grade managed file transfer (MFT) solution are pleasantly surprised to learn what a well-built, full-featured MFT software can do. The knife is its ability to send and receive files, but when you start to unfold the other blades, you’ll discover an assortment of useful tools that can provide vital support for many enterprise functions associated with data management, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and simple workplace efficiency.
Using MFT for Security, Compliance, and Efficiency
Whether you’re already using an MFT solution or are considering your options, here are ten things you might not know that a managed file transfer can do beyond merely sending, receiving, archiving, and retrieving your organization’s vital data files:
Security
- Automate File Encryption Management: Encryption is foundational to data security (and compliance with security and privacy regulations). An enterprise-grade MFT solution should be able to handle the entire encryption management process from key generation to rotation, distribution, storage, rights, and retirement.
- Enable the Purdue Model: The Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture was once the standard for protecting critical enterprise infrastructure until hyper-connectivity took precedence. Today innovative organizations are using MFT to effect a new type of Purdue Model by strictly controlling how data can move into and out of these critical systems.
- Meet Requirements for Quantum-Resistant Cryptography: Artificial intelligence and advances in quantum computing are putting traditional encryption algorithms at risk. Organizations can improve their security posture in accordance with NIST guidelines by adopting an MFT solution that supports improved and emerging standards like elliptical curve cryptography and quantum resistant cryptography like FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205.
- Automate PGP Encryption for Browser-Based File Transfers: Smaller organizations make up a large portion of your information supply chain, but many of these entities lack the resources or training to adopt and use an enterprise-grade MFT solution, creating a security gap. You can make it easier for your smaller partners to securely send you files with an MFT solution that enables encryption automation for browser-based file transfers.
Compliance
- Map Information Supply Chain Endpoints: Security regulations like HIPAA require that you identify and map all the file transfer endpoints of your information supply chain. This allows you to evaluate associated risks and enforce your strict security processes as required by many data security regulations.
- Satisfy Financial Security Standards: Major financial institutions like Citibank Citiconnect, JPMorgan File Transfer Services, and more require that information supply chain partners comply with security standards like SFTP, PGP, and PCI DSS as a condition of conducting file transfers. An enterprise-grade MFT solution will natively support these standards, and should also be architected with features like authentication, identity management, and threat intelligence.
- Integrate with AI-Powered “Listening” Services: Keep sensitive medical conversations secure and confidential in keeping with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements when using AI-driven electronic health record (EHR) platforms like Oracle Health and EPIC that “listen” to and capture data.
Efficiency
- Support SharePoint: Support secure collaboration between teams and organizations that use SharePoint by ensuring sensitive and regulated data like intellectual property, financial transactions, and other high-value information is transferred safely and efficiently to and from the platform.
- Work with Cloud Storage Services: Integrate with all the popular cloud services like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and more to enable fast, efficient, and secure data movement into and out of cloud storage and your business services and applications.
- Integrate with Nearly Every Application You Already Use: Support secure, efficient, automated file transfers between your data centers, cloud storage, and just about every business service and application you rely on to do business.
A Great Value and a Pleasant Surprise
While we don’t recommend that you try to scale a fish with your MFT solution, you will be pleasantly surprised by all the things your MFT solution can do. And if you choose to invest in Diplomat MFT by Coviant Software, the surprise is a lot more pleasant. Not only is Diplomat MFT a great value compared to other enterprise MFT solutions (check out our ROI calculator to compare), but it can also be put to work to tackle business-critical functions that save time and money, keep your staff efficient, and contribute to your cybersecurity and regulatory compliance programs.
If you need a way to securely and reliably send and receive business-critical files across a complex information supply chain and want a product with proven security and ROI, check out Diplomat MFT and our MFT business case builder.