Secure file transfer

Updated July 2026

At a glance

Secure file transfer sends files through an encrypted channel. SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS are the transport protocols that do the encrypting. Managed file transfer (MFT) is a platform that runs those protocols and adds logging, automation, and oversight for business use.

Secure file transfer means moving a file so that no one in between can read it or tamper with it. Plain FTP and unprotected links send data in the clear, which is why sensitive files call for an encrypted method instead. This guide explains the protocols that make a transfer secure, how they differ, and how to choose between a simple encrypted tool and a full managed platform.

What makes a file transfer secure?

Two things. First, the connection is encrypted, so anyone watching the network sees scrambled data rather than your file. Second, the method verifies the server you are connecting to, so you are not handing the file to an impostor. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology treats encryption of data in transit as a baseline safeguard, using current standards such as TLS. A secure transfer protocol delivers both the encryption and the verification.

Secure file transfer versus secure file sharing

The two terms overlap but are not the same. Secure file transfer is about the channel: moving a file from one point to another over an encrypted protocol, often server to server or on a schedule. Secure file sharing is about people: giving someone access to a file with the right controls, such as an expiring link or a password. Our secure file sharing guide covers that side; this page covers the transfer channel.

The secure transfer protocols

Most secure transfers use one of four approaches. Three are protocols that encrypt the connection; the fourth is a platform that manages the whole process.

Method	What it is	How it protects data	Best for
SFTP	File transfer that runs over SSH	Encrypts files and commands with SSH	Server-to-server transfers and admins
FTPS	Classic FTP wrapped in SSL/TLS	TLS encryption over the FTP protocol	Legacy systems that already speak FTP
HTTPS	Web uploads secured with TLS	TLS, the same lock as a secure website	Browser and app uploads and downloads
MFT	A platform that governs transfers	Uses SFTP, FTPS, or HTTPS underneath	Businesses that need logging and automation

SFTP

SFTP, the SSH File Transfer Protocol, runs file transfers over Secure Shell. It encrypts both the file and the commands used to move it, all through a single connection, which makes it firewall-friendly and the common choice for server-to-server transfers and system administrators.

FTPS

FTPS is the older File Transfer Protocol wrapped in SSL/TLS encryption. It suits organizations that already run FTP systems and want to add encryption without switching protocols. It uses more network ports than SFTP, which can complicate firewall rules.

HTTPS

HTTPS is the same secure protocol that protects websites, applied to file uploads and downloads. Every time you send a file through a browser upload box on a secure site, you are using HTTPS. It is the right fit for web and app transfers because it needs no special client.

Managed file transfer (MFT)

MFT is not a protocol but a platform. It moves files over SFTP, FTPS, or HTTPS and layers on scheduling, automation, detailed logging, and reporting. Businesses adopt MFT when they must prove who sent what and when, or when transfers run automatically between partners on a schedule.

How to choose a secure transfer method

For a one-off private send to a person, an end-to-end encrypted transfer service or a password-protected share link is enough, and our transfer service comparison lists the encrypted options. For regular technical transfers between servers, SFTP is the default. For a business that must log every transfer, automate them, and answer to auditors, a managed file transfer platform earns its cost. Match the method to the stakes: the more sensitive and repeated the transfer, the more oversight you want around it.

Good habits for any secure transfer

Whatever method you use, a few habits reduce risk. Verify the recipient before you send. Set links to expire so an old link cannot be reused. Add a password for anything confidential, and share that password through a different channel than the file. And for the most sensitive material, encrypt the file yourself before it leaves your machine, which our guide to encrypting files explains step by step.

Frequently asked questions

What is secure file transfer?

Secure file transfer moves a file through an encrypted channel so it cannot be read or altered on the way. The encryption protects both the file and, in protocols like SFTP, the commands used to move it.

What is the difference between SFTP and FTPS?

Both encrypt file transfers, but they use different methods. SFTP runs over SSH as a single connection, while FTPS is traditional FTP wrapped in SSL/TLS. SFTP is usually easier to run through firewalls.

What is managed file transfer (MFT)?

MFT is not a protocol but a platform. It moves files over secure protocols like SFTP and HTTPS and adds scheduling, automation, logging, and reporting, which businesses use to meet audit and compliance needs.

Is HTTPS secure enough for file transfer?

For most browser-based uploads, yes. HTTPS uses the same TLS encryption that protects online banking. For sensitive files, add end-to-end encryption so the receiving server also cannot read the contents.

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