By Erik Small -

An April survey conducted by MeriTalk, a government information technology provider,  titled “Why Encrypt? Federal File Transfer Report,” found that data security vulnerabilities at federal agencies are mainly due to employees’ use of unsecure methods to exchange information, such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

Specifically, the report shows that federal employees use unsafe methods to transfer files in the following ways:

• 66 percent use physical media (e.g., tapes, CDs, DVDs, USB drives, etc.).
• 60 percent use FTP.
• 52 percent send work files through personal e-mail accounts (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, etc.).

This article on Government Computer News goes on to mention the insecure methods of sharing data/information. This reinforces the need to deploy secure file transfer methods in not only government agencies, but in the private business sectors as well.

Ipswitch File Transfer recently released an Ad Hoc Transfer Module application that provides unparalleled governance, and allows end users to share information, with anyone, in a fast, easy, secure, visible, and well managed way.  

Used in conjunction with any of the industry-leading WS_FTP Server products, the Ad Hoc Transfer module enables companies to proactively manage file transfer and other interactions. It also allows companies to create and enforce policies such as data and transport encryption, access control and authentication, data loss prevention, and content management.

By boo -

just how secure.. is your security?

I just figured I’d share with the group some recent data and security breach news stories from the last few days…does it ever end?

• Snooping through the Power Socket (BBC)
• Elance hit by Security Breach (TechCrunch)
• Someone Call Security (Twitter)
• Questions on Cloud Security (Network World)

By Erik Small -

The sponsors of File Transfer Planet, Ipswitch, just announced a new Enterprise file transfer workflow engine,  MOVEit Central Enterprise 7.0. It’s for companies managing thousands of complex and logical data workflows. This is certainly several levels up from the basic file transfer processes that we regularly troubleshoot here at File Transfer Planet.

Here’s a link to the press release:

Ipswitch Delivers Advanced Business Logic and Virtualization In MOVEit Central Enterprise Workflow Engine

By Hugh Garber -

Not sure if you’re paying attention to the big RSA security conference held this week in San Francisco. I can tell you firsthand that the halls are buzzing with people looking to deploy more robust security solutions at organizations of all shapes and sizes. There’s lots of interest in trying to identify new encryption, Managed File Transfer, and identity solutions that will help enable the safe handling of company data and help businesses comply with various requirements.

All that being said, it will be interesting to see how today’s economic conditions will affect how organizations spend their scarce IT budget over the next year or so. Yes, everyone agrees that “security” is important. And yes, many companies are required to provide secure mechanism as part of corporate governance and compliance requirements. But the proof is in the pudding…. Will they spend the bucks to actually deliver improved secure solutions?

Here’s a real interesting article that talks about how technology vendors and the subset of security vendors are faring in today’s economy. The bad news is that global software spending is down 5% in 2009…. But security vendors are down much less. That’s a good indication that organizations are opting to focus and channel their scarce budget on providing secure and compliance solutions. That is encouraging news.