FTP Server or Content Collaboration Platform – what does your business need?
Businesses and organizations rely on secure file sharing tools and platforms to complete projects, deliver products and services to customers, and manage operations. However, the exact needs vary widely depending on the industry and size of the business.
For some businesses, an FTP (file transfer protocol) or MFP (managed file protocol) solution may be enough. SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server is a great example of a specialized, secure solution. Admin interfaces provide in-depth control over system monitoring, whereas the pared-down user interface helps simplify the file transfer system for ease-of-use.
However, enterprises may find that this niche tool is not enough to handle more complicated productivity or collaboration requirements. This is where a CCP (content collaboration platform) becomes useful.
A CCP like FileCloud is a powerful FTP alternative that provides all the same file-sharing and file transfer features as Serv-U FTP, alongside a robust array of security, productivity, and collaboration-focused tools. FileCloud includes significant features as part of the platform, which simply aren’t available in an FTP solution like Serv-U FTP.
Access and Authentication Integrations
Unlike Serv-U FTP, FileCloud supports integration with Active Directories, LDAP, and NTFS permissions, which helps system, network, or IT admins save time and enforce security. Existing users and groups can be automatically added into the FileCloud system, with file and folder access permissions preserved.
Additional login and authentication options are available within FileCloud to provide robust, multi-layered platform protection. Enabling single sign-on (SSO) serves to streamline user credentials across a network, so users can login with one secure set of credentials to access FileCloud and any other network tool or system.
SIEM integration provides Admins with a centralized dashboard to monitor file activity, alerts, and notifications across the environment. A built-in heuristic engine scans all uploaded files to provide antivirus and malware protection.
Data Leak Prevention
FileCloud offers powerful security while sharing files and collaborating with external teams through data leak prevention (DLP). Admins can create DLP rules to deny specific file sharing and access permissions.
For instance, an admin can create a rule to deny access to a certain type of IP address so that only users within specific countries can access data.
Smart DLP is a major feature in FileCloud that provides powerful data security and management in line with best practices and compliance support for regulatory requirements such as ITAR, GDPR, and HIPAA. Best of all, this protection is applied automatically. SolarWinds Serv-U FTP supports file sharing, but doesn’t include these automated controls to secure data and meet compliance requirements.
Once admins set up default or custom metadata sets in FileCloud and enable the Content Classification Engine (also referred to as Smart Classification), FileCloud then scans new content to apply appropriate metadata. This metadata can then be used by rules set up in the Smart DLP tab to prevent any unauthorized sharing or access to sensitive data.
File and Workflow Automation
Serv-U FTP does offer some automation, namely in the file deletion or archival option, which is based on file or activity date. This can be a powerful tool to ensure that files are not left on a server indefinitely, which reduces an organization’s vulnerability in the event of a breach.
However, this straightforward retention automation in Serv-U FTP may not be enough for enterprises, which require granular and specific retention capabilities. In comparison, FileCloud provides multiple types of hierarchical retention policies.
- Admin Hold: Outranks all other policies and prevents any update or delete of digital content for an indefinite period of time.
- Legal Hold: Freezes digital content to aid discovery or legal challenges. During a legal hold, file modifications are not allowed.
- Retention: Identifies digital content to be kept around for an unlimited amount of time before being deleted or released.
- Archival: Moves and stores old organizational content for long term. No Deletion is allowed until a specified time period is reached. After this time, content gets moved to a specific folder.
- Trash Retention: Can be configured for automatic and permanent deletion of all files in the Trash bins or to expire with no actions.
Beyond retention policies, FileCloud also offers workflow automation for admins and users. Admins can create workflows based on IFTTT formula, which can provide fine-turned control over system and file activity. Users have access to an easy-to-use workflow builder, which offers a drag-and-drop functionality to help streamline processes such as record approvals.
Compliance Support
FileCloud is a compliance-friendly CCP, with a suite of resources available to support users and admins alike.
The Compliance Center is a major example of FileCloud’s commitment to making compliance easier. Admins can easily turn on specific configurations for ITAR, GDPR, and HIPAA to meet and maintain regulatory requirements.
These configurations connect complex rules within each regulation to specific rules and settings in FileCloud. Admins can easily view rules and violations in a centralized dashboard, pause or turn on rules independently within each configuration, and access further information on how the FileCloud tool supports a compliance objective through information buttons.
The functionalities described above serve to distinguish FileCloud not only from simple FTP solutions like Serv-U FTP, but they also set FileCloud apart from other CCP offerings.
FileCloud is built with hyper-security and ease-of-access in mind, not just for admins but for users too. For this reason, FileCloud stands apart as an enterprise-grade solution that revolutionizes file sharing and collaboration across industries.