Zero Trust File Transfer: Why Bundled Solutions Make Sense

Feeling good about sending your business-critical files securely via managed file transfer (MFT)? You should. It’s a secure, streamlined way to get sensitive information from one place to another, with encryption embedded into the solution, automation features to help goofproof the process, and robust security applied to files both while they are in motion and at rest. But do you know what happens to those sensitive files after they’ve reached their intended recipients? Your singular file transfer solution may not be enough to secure your files post-send. 

Your MFT solution protects your organization’s valuable data in transit, but that does not mean that the files are immune to security issues once they arrive at their destination. For example, the recipient may forward the file to an unauthorized user, opening the data up for possible malware. 

You can further protect your organization's data throughout its entire lifecycle by bundling your MFT solution with a zero-trust solution. Zero-trust is a verification model that helps to address concerns such as insider threats, malware, ransomware, and human error. And bundled security solutions are an effective way to drive processes to align with the ‘trust no one and verify everything’ stance at the heart of zero trust. 

Related Reading: Why It’s Time to Adopt Zero Trust Architecture 

Bundling Security Solutions Can Help Minimize Post-Send File Worries  

In today’s cybersecurity environment, a single solution may not be enough to achieve your organization’s security goals, especially if those goals include migrating towards a zero-trust architecture. Adopting a zero-trust position around file security should include layering or bundling security solutions like MFT, secure gateways, encryption, and secure collaboration. "Taking advantage of bundled solutions that integrate and bolster security around data and how it’s handled gives IT teams a tested security combination to help move an organization closer to a zero-trust stance,” said Chris Bailey, Senior Product Manager, SFT, Fortra.  

Related Reading: Why It’s Smart to Bundle Security Solutions 

A Zero-Trust Strategy Benefits from Bundled Solutions 

At its most basic, zero-trust is a ‘never trust, always verify' model, an updated version of what tech circles used to call the ‘trust but verify’ mode of operation. This zero-trust model assumes any device or communication can be subject to fallout from malicious and criminal intentions or even by users forwarding files to non-authorized recipients. Zero trust requires a continual approach to authentication and authorization of users and systems on an organization’s network to address threats.  

There are three basic pillars to zero-trust:  

1. Always assume a breach is possible 
2. Trust no one   
3. Verify everything  

Achieving zero trust is a process, and to repeat a cliché, it’s a journey not a race. According to Gartner just 10% of large enterprises will have a solid zero trust program in place by 2026. It’s a goal well-worth striving for to protect your most sensitive data from prying eyes. Organizations that are making progress towards a zero-trust stance are in good company. The Pentagon plans to implement a zero-trust architecture by 2027 across the enterprise. And there are government-wide goals around zero trust as well. 

Progressing towards this zero-trust stance, whether at a government organization, retail, healthcare, or any other type of organization is more easily achieved with vetted and layered security. “A security solutions bundle can make exchanging data more secure and more controlled at a granular level with automatic file sharing, scanning of files for malware or viruses, and encryption to deliver persistent control over files no matter where they travel. And adopting solutions from a single provider that have been tested as integrated can streamline this process further,” added Bailey.  

Layered or bundled security can work proactively to reduce the attack surface as well as support compliance for organizations needing to abide by NIST, PCI DSS, and HIPAA requirements. And zero trust is not only about protecting the organization’s perimeter, rather its policies provide access control in a cloud environment as well. Zero trust policies apply no matter if your organization’s data is primarily on-prem or resides in the cloud. 

Security Solutions Integrate for Zero Trust File Transfers 

The solutions that comprise Fortra’s Zero Trust File Transfer bundle not only help ensure files are protected in transit and at rest with secure file transfer, they also add content inspection to scan for malware or viruses, encryption, data loss prevention, and persistent control for secure collaboration. Sensitive, business-critical files stay protected from any unauthorized access or use, even after they land at their intended destination.  

“This post-send control is so vital today, as more collaboration is being done outside an organization’s walls or perimeter. Once a file lands, without a secure collaboration tool in place, you could otherwise lose all control over who is accessing or using that data,” added Bailey. “This security combination gives organizations access to their data in real time throughout its entire life cycle, no matter where that data travels or is stored to help move the file transfer process into a zero-trust position.”