From financial records and client contracts to internal communications, organizations transfer files and sensitive data daily. A secure file transfer solution has always been non-negotiable, but it’s more critical than ever amidst the rise of data breaches and cyberattacks.
For many years, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) was the standard. However, its outdated security measures and lack of encryption make it vulnerable to cyber threats, leaving shared data at risk of interception and misuse. Fortunately, advanced FTP alternatives now provide more robust security, improved efficiency, and streamlined management.
This guide explores FTP, why it’s time to upgrade and some top FTP alternatives for file sharing.
What Is FTP? Five More Secure FTP Alternatives to Consider Why Are Organizations Moving Away From FTP?
- Managed File Transfer
- SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
- FTPS (File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS)
- HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
- Secure Copy Protocol (SCP)
Replace FTP With Secure, Scalable Solutions From SolarWinds
What Is FTP?
File transfer protocol, or FTP, was created in 1971 as a standard network protocol for transferring files between a client and server. FTP allows users to upload, download, and manage files on remote servers.
FTP was considered an efficient and reliable way to transfer files for decades. However, as cybercriminals have advanced, FTP’s lack of robust security has made it increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. While millions still rely on FTP servers, it has significant limitations compared to modern file-sharing solutions, particularly regarding security, efficiency, and ease of management.
Why Are Organizations Moving Away From FTP?
Since the 1970s, countless organizations have relied on FTP for file transfers due to its straightforward functionality and widespread availability. However, even significant browsers like Chrome and Firefox have moved away from FTP, which struggles to meet today’s speed, security, and reliability standards.
Organizations are increasingly turning to alternative file transfer solutions as they look to avoid the common pitfalls of FTP, which include:
- Slow file transfers: While FTP was adequate in the 1970s and 1980s, it now lags behind more modern solutions in speed and efficiency. High traffic or distant servers often impact transfer speeds, with multiple users or large uploads causing further delays.
- Unreliable synchronization: FTP lacks built-in synchronization for local and remote files, requiring users to upload files manually. Additionally, it doesn’t support pulling files from the server, making coordination tricky.
- High storage costs: Without automatic file expiration or deletion, FTP servers accumulate files until they can be manually cleared by IT staff. This leads to high storage costs and demands unnecessary time from IT teams.
- Lack of centralized management: Managing multiple FTP servers requires additional software for centralized control. Without it, inconsistencies in security protocols and complex auditing processes can arise, increasing the risk of errors and compliance issues.
- Time-consuming workflows: Setting up FTP accounts for new contacts can be tedious, as each new contact requires account creation, often involving IT support. An IT administrator must also step in if a user forgets their password.
- Security vulnerabilities: As an unencrypted protocol, FTP leaves files in plain text, making data susceptible to interception. Cybercriminals can easily access files, usernames, and passwords, posing serious security risks.
- Weak authentication measures: FTP uses a simple username-password scheme, offering minimal protection against unauthorized access. If credentials are compromised, attackers can easily steal or alter files.
- Limited visibility: Many organizations are using FTP alternatives for increased visibility. FTP provides minimal tracking, preventing organizations from confirming file receipt or detecting download errors. Without visibility into user actions, managing and auditing file transfers becomes challenging.
Five More Secure FTP Alternatives to Consider
There’s no denying that FTP has shortcomings, particularly for businesses and organizations that share a high volume of files daily or must meet compliance requirements imposed by industry and government mandates like Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).
Luckily, there are plenty of FTP alternatives to choose from that are faster, more reliable, and more secure than FTP. Many FTP alternatives allow IT administrators to see who has accessed files, so they can more easily detect when cybercriminals hack into their FTP servers. Several FTP alternatives also allow file synchronization and are easy to configure and use.
Organizations might consider these alternatives to FTP:
1. Managed File Transfer
Managed File Transfer, or MFT, is an obvious alternative. It streamlines the file transfer process and offers centralized control, increased visibility, and automation capabilities. As a result, it’s an excellent option for organizations that regularly transfer files.
Compared to FTP, MFT is a far more comprehensive and secure solution. With built-in encryption, authentication, and logging capabilities, MFT meets the strict data security requirements of regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), HIPAA, and PCI DSS. MFT’s robust logging features also support troubleshooting, help identify potential security risks, and provide detailed user activity tracking.
2. SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure protocol for transferring files over an encrypted secure shell (SSH) data stream. It is compatible with both FTP clients and server environments and is also designed to be firewall-friendly.
SFTP offers significantly more robust security than FTP, as all data exchanged between the client and server is encrypted, minimizing the risk of interception. Additionally, SFTP requires robust authentication—typically an SSH key, a secure ID and password, or both—before allowing user access and protecting sensitive data.
3. FTPS (File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS)
Many organizations also choose FTP over SSL/TLS, known as FTPS, for their internal and external file transfer needs. FTPS adds an extra layer of encryption beyond standard FTP and can incorporate two-factor authentication, further enhancing security.
Developed as a secure extension of FTP, FTPS follows the client-server model but uses the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol (previously known as Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL) to establish a secure connection. With TLS, data is encrypted using a public key (accessible to anyone requesting data from the server, enabling encrypted data transfers) and a private key (held only by the server owner, allowing data decryption post-transfer). This dual-key approach provides robust protection for sensitive file transfers.
FTPS offers two security modes:
- Implicit: With implicit FTPS, an SSL connection must be established before data transfer starts. Implicit FTPS uses port 990 to form an SSL/TLS tunnel between clients and servers as soon as a connection is formed. This security mode is stricter than explicit FTPS, making it ideal for organizations that must adhere to federal regulatory compliance standards and consume a lot of network bandwidth.
- Explicit: In this security mode, the sender and receiver negotiate whether the data will be encrypted or sent in plain text. With explicit FTPS, users can require servers and clients to establish an encrypted connection before exchanging sensitive files or credentials. This mode operates over port 21.
4. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) encrypts data between a web server and a client, making it a much safer alternative to FTP, which often sends data in plain text. By combining HTTP with Transport Layer Security (TLS), HTTPS protects sensitive information like login credentials and financial data from interception, making it ideal for organizations focused on data security.
HTTPS is also widely compatible with modern web applications and requires minimal setup. It allows secure file transfers through most browsers and firewalls. With SSL certificates for server authentication, HTTPS helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, offering a more secure and user-friendly alternative to FTP for online file transfers.
5. Secure Copy Protocol (SCP)
Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) is a secure alternative to FTP for transferring files to servers. It leverages SSH for encrypted file transfers between remote hosts or from a local host to a remote host. As an implementation of the Remote Copy Protocol (RCP) built on SSH, SCP requires an authorized SSH key to establish a secure connection before any file transfer begins.
Once connected, SCP clients can upload files to or download files and directories from an SSH server using either source mode (with the -f flag for retrieving files) or sink mode (with the -t flag for sending files). Combining SSH’s encryption and authentication with RCP’s file transfer capabilities, SCP provides fast, secure transfers that block packet sniffers and protect data in transit while preserving timestamps and file permissions. Its speed and security make SCP a reliable choice for organizations seeking a safer alternative to FTP.
Replace FTP With Secure, Scalable Solutions From SolarWinds
FTP no longer meets modern data transfers’ speed, security, or flexibility demands, especially for sensitive or high-volume files. Lacking visibility and centralized control, FTP falls short for organizations that require secure file management. If your organization is looking to make a change, consider one of the reliable FTP alternatives from SolarWinds.
For enterprises with more advanced needs, SolarWinds® Serv-U Managed File Transfer Server is a robust solution. It offers unlimited users, support for FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP, and HTTPS, and integration with NAS/SAN and external databases. With browser access and detailed log tracking, Serv-U MFT enables flexible, secure file management at scale.
For example, SolarWinds SFTP/SCP Server is a free and secure tool for reliable network file transfers using SFTP and SCP protocols. It enables concurrent transfers from multiple devices and includes features like user authentication and IP address restrictions for enhanced security. Running as a Windows service, it integrates easily into IT environments while offering detailed logging for monitoring activities.