There are many terms used in the hosting service, some are easy to understand while others…not so much. Today we will get to know what FTP and SFTP is. They might look complicated, but we’re about to fix that.
To start our explanation, let’s first talk about “data”. Why are they considered a valuable asset, and why companies must do their best in order to protect them. When a company starts growing and advancing, so does the number of their clients. Working with customers means having their sensitive information in the palm of your hands. Which is why it is crucial to do everything in your power to keep them safe. This information can contain addresses, credit card information, passwords and many more. It is your responsibility to make sure the way you transfer them is secured. One of the best things an organization can do is focus greatly on how to store and transfer data because transferring the data in random ways on the internet can also mean potential breaches.
Remember, your company’s reputation is one of the primary things that helps keep the company going.
Now, what does FTP and SFTP have to do with companies and their data? The two acronyms mentioned are two common file transfer options, however, what do they mean? What is the difference between the two and when should one use them?
The Difference Between FTP and SFTP.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) are two of the most common and traditional file transferring options and here are some facts about the two:
- SFTP is more secure than FTP (If you didn’t already conclude that.)
- SFTP is always significantly slower than FTP.
- Two channels are used to transfer data with FTP whereas with SFTP, only 1 channel is used to transfer data.
- SFTP also stands for “SSH File Transfer Protocol”. (SSH is short for Secure Shell, which offers a secure access to your server)
Both FTP and SFTP help your company transfer data via internet. The main difference between these two is the use of encryption. FTP transfers data and files between a client and a server without the use of encryption where as SFTP transfers data by encrypting the information first, meaning that whatever is exposed on the internet won’t also be exposed to outside entities and potential hackers.
Encryption is the process of translating a clear data into a code so that the transferred information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Companies find encryption as an essential factor because since the data is scrambled, no one other than the sender and the receiver can decipher it. So basically, what I’m trying to say is that SFTP does exactly what FTP does, but in a more secure way!
You can now learn more about hosting servers and their glossary by visiting our website and blogs on Dynamic Hosting!
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