FTP vs FileCloud

Initial Setup

Setting up storage with FileCloud Online is usually easy. You need to register your business, sign into your account, and you are ready to use it. FileCloud’s online solution removes all the hassle of server setup and maintenance. The FileCloud UI is simple and intuitive, and quick user adoption with minimal training is the norm.

Setting up an FTP server is a complicated process, requiring specialized expertise. Even after setup is implemented, all users of the FTP servers must become well versed in the system to use it for data transfer and sharing.

Sharing Content

FileCloud lets you easily share and sync content across different channels. It streamlines files access across different devices, ensuring easy collaboration among different teams. FileCloud is a file-sharing and content collaboration tool, as well as a secure cloud storage solution. Automated notifications can help ensure all team members are aware of any new file activity that requires input from them.

File sharing with FTP is cumbersome and requires additional effort, such as uploading the newly edited file via the FTP client and then notifying all the team members. This can decrease efficiency and make collaboration between teams difficult and time consuming.

File Versioning

FileCloud supports unlimited file versioning, which means the history of all the revisions made in files can be recorded. You can also restore the previous version of a file if required. This means that it’s unlikely that enterprise data will be lost.

File versioning is not supported by FTP. Each version needs to be transferred into the system, along with the version name and date, creating more manual work.

Security

FileCloud has built-in security and encryption technology, such as standard SSL/TLS, 256-bit AES encryption, remote data wipe, antivirus scanning, ransomware protection, and automatic backups for data files. FileCloud is specifically designed to keep data secure and safe. It facilitates highly granular access permissions, protecting data against unauthorized access. FileCloud also has a set of robust Digital Rights Management features that protect data after it has been transferred.

FTP on its own in insecure and lacks encryption. Sensitive data, including files, usernames, and passwords, get transmitted in plaintext and are vulnerable to eavesdropping and interception. Due to the reliance of FTP on username and password authentication, data is also vulnerable to brute force attacks and password sniffing. FTP also uses well-known ports, which allows attackers to scan for, and identify, vulnerable systems.

FTP has no mechanism for secure deletion of files. This leaves data open to recovery by attackers. A lack of granular access controls can lead to unauthorized access. Active mode in FTP can cause problems with firewalls and often requires complex rules. This can create security vulnerabilities if configuration is incorrect. All of this can lead to penalties for lack of compliance with data privacy regulations.

Accessibility

FileCloud is accessible across a wide range of devices, including smartphone, desktop, and tablet. Users can securely edit, preview, and sync files from any device or location, at any time.

FTP clients for mobile phones are available but the process of connecting them to the FTP server is difficult. These days, when most people are heavily reliant on mobile devices, this means FTP accessibility is highly limiting and not fit for purpose in many business environments.