The COVID-19 pandemic saw a massive shift to remote working. While this has helped flatten the coronavirus curve, it opened a new world of problems for companies. With employees working from home, data transfer became a risk due to the potential for hacking employees’ home Wi-Fi networks.

Companies are investing in more sophisticated file transfer software to ensure that their data confidentiality and integrity do not suffer due to people working from home. If you are thinking about getting this software, here are some factors to consider:

Different types of file transfer protocols

When deciding which file transfer protocol to adopt and procuring the necessary software, make email security a priority. Emails are used to transfer files and have been proven a vulnerable target by hackers. GoAnywhere secure mail offers a high degree of encryption and operates as a Microsoft Outlook plug-in or within different browsers.

As an encrypted network protocol, SFTP (secure file transfer protocol) bears some risk. It allows for someone to log in remotely and operate across a business network that does not have sufficient security measures in place. However, it does encrypt commands and data and prevents open transmission of passwords and other information.

FTPS (File transfer protocol secure) utilizes SSL (secure sockets layer) to ensure private communication and relevant encryption standards. HTTPS (hypertext transfer protocol secure) is used on websites where users enter sensitive information, such as credit card or contact details.

Regulatory compliance

Companies have a duty of care to protect any confidential data they obtain by not allowing it to be hacked or corrupted. While there are no measures that will give a 100% guarantee against such occurrences, the government and many industry-related bodies have put minimum compliance regulations in place.

Utilizing a secure data transfer solution makes adhering to these requirements easier. Most are built with security monitoring and control features that include auditing and reporting on file transfer activity.

Implications of hacked or corrupted files

When choosing the right file transfer software, think about what it aims to achieve. It should protect data during transit between different users and servers. Then think about what will happen if you do not put the necessary protocols in place.

Companies have collapsed and disappeared due to data breaches. Yours is unlikely to be an exception should the same scenario occur. The reputational damage alone is so challenging to overcome that few corporations have succeeded. These breaches are not unique to massive multinational companies.

Hackers target small-to-medium businesses because their security tends to be laxer. These computer criminals might not make a considerable profit from hacking smaller companies. Still, they can do so to many businesses at once with little chance of detection before it is too late.

Customization

Your company is unique, and its file transfer software requirements are likely to differ from another. Consult with experts to determine which solutions are within your budget and will meet your security needs. Give them a full picture of your organization, what types of files you are transferring, and how sensitive they are.

A thorough data security threat assessment should be your point of departure when deciding on the way forward. While such measures might seem expensive, the payoff of having your data safe and uncompromised is even more valuable.

Your file transfer software’s security is only as strong as its weakest link. This is often employees who do not take data security seriously and will transfer files outside the network. Your workers’ buy-in is essential, and this will only happen through education and training about data security and what measures you have put in place to prevent it.