Which Transfer Protocol Does the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Use?

One of the most popular online activities taking place across the internet is downloading files, data, videos, pictures, and other content. One of the oldest protocols to achieve that is the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), which exclusively uses TCP transport. TCP is one of the most basic standards that define the rules of the internet. 

While these protocols are useful for moving information from a computer to the server where a website is hosted, businesses find that FTP does not offer the speed, reliability, or security they need to remain compliant when transferring important files.

Disadvantage of FTP

Some of the drawbacks of FTP include:

1. Lack of Security

FTP is a non-secure way to transfer data and files. When sending a file using FTP, the data, username, and password are all shared via plain text. This can leave all the information accessible to a hacker.

2. Not All Providers are Created Equal

To solve the security vulnerabilities, businesses tend to turn to hosted FTP solutions. While vendors try to solve these issues, not all can stand up to the test of security, making it hard to pick the right one or one that provides what your business needs.

3. Encryption is Not a Given

FTP alone does not provide encryption, which makes transferred data easy to intercept. Encryption is essential to almost every single company, especially if you’re using sensitive data like card payment data or ePHI (electronically protected health information).

4. Compliance is an Issue

Compliance is a consistent issue when using FTP to send files. Using FTP or using an FTP vendor with inadequate security could leave your business at risk, especially if your business has to follow any compliance laws.

5. Difficult to Monitor Activity

It’s important you also consider the reporting requirements for your company. With FTP, your company will have an inability to track or inconsistency in tracking what has been uploaded or downloaded and by who.

IBM Aspera: The Better Alternative to FTP

Using its proprietary FASP® technology to deliver data, IBM Aspera eliminates the bottlenecks and risks associated with FTP and its outdated technology. It can help your employees and clients move large files and data at maximum speed over long distances.

With Aspera, you have many benefits that FTP cannot provide you like:

1. Security

Included with IBM Aspera and its hosted services, the patented FASP protocol offers built-in security for any transfers using the standard open-source OpenSSL toolkit.

2. Encryption

The Aspera FASP protocol also provides secure authentication, on-the-fly encryption, and integrity verification.

3. Speed

According to IBM, you can move 100GB files over a 100Mb/s network internationally in just 2.5 hours where FTP would take over 100 hours. 

4. Reporting & Management

With Aspera services, you can centrally manage, monitor, and control all Aspera file transfer activity in the Enterprise.

Introducing PacGenesis: An Aspera Business Partner

As an IBM Gold Business Partner, we’ve earned IBM’s trust to implement their Aspera software with businesses that are looking for a secure, reliable, and fast file transfer solution. At PacGenesis, we have a team that is ready to help you figure out the best service and software for your business needs. Contact us today to better identify your high-speed transfer needs and set up an evaluation.

To learn more about PacGenesis, follow @PacGenesis on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn or visit us at pacgenesis.com.

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