What is mft

The great thing about MFT tools is that they support multiple types of protocols. MFT servers can sometimes handle multiple protocols from a single server, greatly reducing FTP server sprawl. Data regulations are quickly evolving. Trying to maintain compliance across multiple file transfer tools and environments is impossible. MFT solutions make it possible to unify your file transfer processes under a single umbrella, simplifying compliance. This is done through a host of features that apply additional layers of security to all your file transfers, including support for MDN to enforce non-repudiation.

Access control can be improved with two-factor authentication, granular permissions and single sign-on, while full audit trails provide visibility into all transfers, connections and user and administrative activity. The MFT market is expected to expand to help meet growth in demand for file transfers.

Many organizations have reached a point where their file transfer environments are beyond manual administration. There are simply too many transfers, connections and servers for the IT team to manually manage. In order to scale, many organizations are using managed file transfer automation to manage key business processes, including file transfers.

The right MFT platform will include tools to automate file transfer processes so your team can spend less time on manual tasks, while improving efficiency and reliability. For example, ActiveMFT provides event triggers that make it possible to automate file transfers without having to write custom scripts. Automating your file transfer processes makes it possible for your team to scale your file transfers. Without automation, managing multiple file transfer servers and protocols would be prohibitively time-consuming.

Managing FTP servers through a command-line interface is tedious, often confusing and too time-consuming. Instead, most MFT solutions provide GUIs that simplify the setup and configuration of clients, servers, trading partners, transfers and more. Additionally, some MFT vendors provide multiple interfaces that make it possible for your team to set up and manage transfers from any web browser or mobile device.

This also enables self-service transfers where non-IT users can run ad hoc file transfers depending on permissions specified for their specific user account. More about the Major Release. Managed File Transfer is a technology — offered as a software platform but also available as a cloud service — that allows organizations the secure and reliable electronic exchange of often sensitive data of any size.

MFT comprises software technologies that secure, control, document, and automate the complete process of electronic data exchange. These file transfers can be internal or external to an organization, MFT allows the transfer of structured or unstructured data of various types including sensitive, compliance-related or even very high volume data.

Using MFT, organizations can replace unsecure methods of file transfer like standard file transfer protocol FTP , eMail or popular but often unsecure internet file sharing services. Without MFT software , any exchange of unstructured data such as contracts, drawings, reports, employee information, project data, customer and supplier data etc.

Still too often, organizations continue to use FTP or eMail for sensitive file transfer activities. In recent years, file sharing services became quite popular for private use. By embracing MFT, organizations can consolidate all data transfers on a central, monitored communication platform. MFT enables critical business data to be securely exchanged with business partners, systems and applications, all with an audit trail.

This effectively prevents data manipulation and loss , which is especially important for unstructured business data e. With MFT, companies cannot only rule out the risks of unsecure and inefficient data transmission. However, they can also reduce their operating costs by using a single and central solution. At the same time, the MFT solution provides an overview as to what potentially sensitive data has been forwarded to where or whom internally or externally — whether intended or not — and can respond to situations in an appropriate and timely manner.

MFT also helps companies meet their own data protection and privacy regulations company policies as well as industry-specific compliance requirements. Many business processes involve the electronic exchange of business information — information shared either within the company or with business partners such as customers, suppliers or service providers. Reliable and secure electronic transfer of sensitive data is crucial to business success. Secure MFT solutions offer the following key benefits:.

Reliably compliant - IT security that pays off. Download Whitepaper. High-performance MFT solutions are well suited for a wide range of data-exchange scenarios. When replacing error prone and unsecure manual processes, MFT solutions can be used and avoid investments in specialized applications for each use case.

This helps you avoid shadow IT file sharing in enterprise networks. MFT software typically supports event-driven automation to perform specific tasks based on events generated on the server, domain, user, and group level. You can program the MFT server to trigger actions such as:.

MFT servers are known to offer file sharing capabilities in addition to file transfer. File sharing enables password protection for security and allows your end users to send and request files from anyone over the internet.

MFT solutions are designed to consider your overall IT architecture. MFT is suitable for organizations of all sizes. Scalability helps you expand your applications of MFT and finds uses in file transfer high-availability scenarios as well as disaster recovery in geographically dispersed networks. MFT solutions provide security encryption to help you meet compliance reporting and auditing requirements. SolarWinds Serv-U MFT Server is a powerful, affordable managed file transfer solution designed to deliver enhanced security, administration, and file transfer governance in comparison to standalone FTP solutions.