Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a file protocol for transferring large files over the Internet. Examples of such a tool include Shell Control Box from Balabit and CryptoAuditor from SSH Communications Security (the original developer of the Secure Shell protocol), which provides functions such as SFTP transaction logging and logging of the data actually transmitted on the wire. Instead, both data and commands are encrypted and transmitted in specially formatted binary packages over a single, secure connection to SSH. In this sense, SFTP offers less risk than FTPS because it only requires a single open port to send and receive initial authentication information, commands, and file transfers from another server.
What is SFTP and how does it work?
Some implementations of the SCP program support both SFTP and SCP protocols to perform file transfers, depending on what the server supports. SFTP can use any host key distribution or certification method used for SSH without the need for additional work and ongoing maintenance. Most companies use FTP or SFTP servers to exchange files and other important business documents with their trading partners. SFTP works with a secure ShellSecure ShellSecure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol for the secure operation of network services over an unsecured network.
SFTP clients are included with high-quality SSH clients, and complete enterprise-class SSH implementations provide both SFTP client and server functionality.
What is SFTP vs FTP?
SFTP is not only secure, but also compliance-friendly, and saves you from penalties and fines if you’re interested in e-commerce. When you connect to your SFTP server, your client software transfers your public key to the server for authentication. The main difference between FTP and SFTP is that SFTP transfers data over the secure channel in an encrypted format, while FTP does not. SFTP uses SSH (or Secure Shellsecure ShellSecure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol to securely operate network services over an unsecured network.
An important feature of SFTP is the use of the Secure Shell cryptographic network protocol, better known as SSH.