At a time of tremendous technological sophistication, where advanced automation, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and other innovations are driving IT transformation, it’s not uncommon to find organizations clinging to obsolete systems and workflows for the simple reason that “it’s the way we’ve always done it.” In fact, we have far too many conversations with enterprises that are exploring the advantages of managed file transfer solutions but remain reluctant to modernize from manual scripts that might be decades old.
Change is a daunting prospect even when you know that the hodgepodge processes you use for a secure file transfer are slow, unreliable, inefficient, and fraught with risk. Yet they persist. This issue was addressed in a recent conversation between Coviant Software CEO Greg Hoffer and Cyberdefense Magazine publisher Gary Miliefsky on CyberdefenseTV.
Miliefsky observed that organizations “don’t take file transfer as seriously as they should. They’ve got their own code and their own scripts.” Then Miliefsly asked the $4.88 million dollar question: “How do we fix that?”
The Hidden Risks of Legacy File Transfer Scripts
Hoffer replied, “When a company, no matter how small or large, decides… to put emphasis on security, both within our corporate boundaries and across the [digital] supply chain, they quickly realize the scripts they grew up on” are no longer adequate. There’s too much at stake when business operations rely on the timely, reliable, and secure transfer of files to partners, customers, suppliers, government agencies, and others.
“Over time, these scripts become a black hole,” Hoffer added, explaining that the cost and effort involved in keeping these obsolete processes running is not worth the return. And when experienced IT staff turns over, often the individuals who built those systems and know them best are no longer available to address incidents. There’s little to no documentation, so updates and fixes are a best-guess prospect. That puts a lot of critical workflows at risk of failure or, worse, a data breach.
Watch the Podcast: Custom Scripts vs. MFT
What is Managed File Transfer (MFT)?
Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a secure, automated technology for transferring files within and between organizations, ensuring data integrity, privacy, and compliance with regulations and standards like HIPAA, GDPR and PCI-DSS. A managed file transfer platform like Diplomat MFT replaces those obsolete scripts with a purpose-built solution that simplifies streamlined and automated file transfer capabilities that support a wide variety of standards and protocols (SFTP, cloud services, PGP, PCI-DSS, etc.) across all the services and applications an organization already uses, and that many external trading partners require when exchanging files. Furthermore, Hoffer points out that a good MFT solution also employs state-of-the-art security controls that are required for compliance with regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, GLBA, and more. These controls include:
- Role-based access control
- Granular/least privilege permissions
- Automated encryption (at rest and in motion)
- Full audit data capture and reporting
- Trouble alerting
- Data archiving and retention
- End point mapping and reporting
So, while you should certainly explore the possibilities that exist with the adoption of tools powered by artificial intelligence and other powerful technologies, you should also be willing to embrace the advantages of a mature, proven product like Diplomat MFT. Our secure, managed file transfer software solution has been trusted by healthcare, financial services, legal, government, retail, manufacturing, and other organizations for more than twenty years. In that time, our software has never been breached.
Managed File Transfer You Can (Trust and) Rely On
Coviant Software backs up our products with the industry’s best rated customer and technical support. And what’s more, because we offer Diplomat MFT at a fair and transparent price, you can acquire all the advantages of a managed file transfer solution and still have ample budget for whatever other new technology you (or your CEO) have your eyes on.
Learn more about managed file transfer software and Diplomat MFT here. Or contact us to book a free demonstration of our software and to discuss how Diplomat MFT can help you overcome your biggest file transfer challenges. We are confident we can answer your questions.