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Brien M. Posey
Guest
Beyond the logistics of transferring files, modern managed file transfer platforms can support businesses’ compliance efforts.
In today’s world, file transfers are no longer just about moving data from point A to point B. Data security and compliance have become just as important as the data transfer itself. Regulators and customers alike expect organizations to handle their data in a responsible and risk-aware manner and to be able to demonstrate alignment with applicable expectations
This is where managed file transfers come into play. Modern managed file transfer platforms not only help manage the logistics of transferring files but also support businesses’ compliance efforts and help demonstrate responsible data-handling practices to customers.
Many businesses today are subject to various regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR and others. These regulations define the parameters that an organization must operate within, particularly with regard to its handling of sensitive data. Just as a restaurant is required to adhere to various health codes, a business that handles sensitive data is required by law to put safeguards in place to help protect that data against loss or exposure. Failing to handle data in the manner prescribed by a regulation can subject an organization to fines, reputational damage and legal exposure.
Nearly all regulations pertaining to the handling of sensitive data require that an organization be able to prove compliance with the regulatory requirements. This is where the concept of attestation comes into play.
Attestation means that an independent third party has evaluated controls related to how an organization handles sensitive data against defined criteria. This allows customers to verify the organization’s claims by reviewing the attestation report themselves, as opposed to just taking the organization’s word for it. It’s similar to a customer at a restaurant looking at the health inspector’s grade that is posted on the door, rather than trusting that the restaurant’s staff is telling them the truth about the kitchen’s cleanliness.
A regulated organization typically needs to be able to provide evidence to both auditors and to customers that file transfers are handled with security controls in mind and that the transfer processes support internal compliance requirements.
One option is for the organization to develop its own proprietary file transfer system that is specifically designed to be compliant. Of course, such a homegrown approach comes with significant risks and requires a serious capital investment and strong IT and legal expertise.
Another option is to rely on a managed file transfer provider that has already built a platform designed to support compliance programs and has received certifications such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001. This is the preferred approach for security-conscious organizations, because MFT vendors specialize in secure file transfer, meaning their engineering teams are quicker to respond to the latest
The organization doesn’t have to initiate such updates, and the cost will be far lower than that of a custom solution. Better still, because the managed file transfer platform has received third-party compliance certifications, organizations that use the provider’s platform can reference those certifications where appropriate in their own compliance reports.
Because regulatory compliance is so complex, many organizations use a GRC platform to manage and track anything compliance related. GRC stands for Governance, Risk and Compliance. As such, a GRC system brings together the policies governing the organization, risk management initiatives, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. Having all of this information in one place can improve data-driven decision-making, and it can also help the organization to operate responsibly and transparently.
Historically, file transfers have been a pain point for organizations that are subject to regulatory requirements. After all, file transfers have often been based on legacy software that was never designed to adhere to today’s data monitoring requirements. Instead of transferring files in a way that complicates compliance, organizations can adopt a secure file transfer system with robust transfer logs that are stored centrally to support compliance audits. This approach can transform the file transfer process from a compliance headache into a compliance enabler.
Linking a managed file transfer platform to an organization’s GRC platform can support ongoing compliance monitoring efforts. If a file transfer is identified as potentially conflicting with an organization’s compliance requirements, the transfer may be blocked and an alert raised, depending on configuration.
Another benefit to bringing managed file transfer together with GRC is that doing so helps with centralized visibility. Those who are tasked with maintaining compliance will be better able to track data as it moves into and out of the organization.
Finally, linking a business’ managed file transfer platform to its GRC system allows for centralized audit reporting, meaning that employees no longer have to worry about manually gathering evidence in an effort to satisfy auditors. In fact, centralized auditing systems may reduce the cost and complexity of compliance audits.
It isn’t just the auditors who expect businesses to remain compliant and to handle data responsibly. Customers and partners also expect transparency when it comes to data security.
Public attestation makes it easy for customers, partners and stakeholders to review information related to an organization’s compliance posture, while also demonstrating the organization’s commitment to responsible data-handling. This in turn helps to build digital trust.
In everyday life, you trust your bank to keep your money safe. You trust your doctor to look after your health. Digital trust is like that, except that it pertains to confidence in an organization’s approach to protecting sensitive data. This trust can be the deciding factor determining whether or not a potential customer is willing to do business with that organization. Trust may also impact a partner’s willingness to share sensitive information.
Ultimately, businesses are built on trust, and digital trust is paramount in today’s connected world. Businesses leveraging a secure file transfer system from a leading vendor are signaling their commitment to handling sensitive data with care.
Continue reading...
In today’s world, file transfers are no longer just about moving data from point A to point B. Data security and compliance have become just as important as the data transfer itself. Regulators and customers alike expect organizations to handle their data in a responsible and risk-aware manner and to be able to demonstrate alignment with applicable expectations
This is where managed file transfers come into play. Modern managed file transfer platforms not only help manage the logistics of transferring files but also support businesses’ compliance efforts and help demonstrate responsible data-handling practices to customers.
The Importance of Compliance and Attestation in Today’s Regulatory Landscape
Many businesses today are subject to various regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR and others. These regulations define the parameters that an organization must operate within, particularly with regard to its handling of sensitive data. Just as a restaurant is required to adhere to various health codes, a business that handles sensitive data is required by law to put safeguards in place to help protect that data against loss or exposure. Failing to handle data in the manner prescribed by a regulation can subject an organization to fines, reputational damage and legal exposure.
Nearly all regulations pertaining to the handling of sensitive data require that an organization be able to prove compliance with the regulatory requirements. This is where the concept of attestation comes into play.
Attestation means that an independent third party has evaluated controls related to how an organization handles sensitive data against defined criteria. This allows customers to verify the organization’s claims by reviewing the attestation report themselves, as opposed to just taking the organization’s word for it. It’s similar to a customer at a restaurant looking at the health inspector’s grade that is posted on the door, rather than trusting that the restaurant’s staff is telling them the truth about the kitchen’s cleanliness.
How Security Certifications Are Applied to the File Transfer Processes
A regulated organization typically needs to be able to provide evidence to both auditors and to customers that file transfers are handled with security controls in mind and that the transfer processes support internal compliance requirements.
One option is for the organization to develop its own proprietary file transfer system that is specifically designed to be compliant. Of course, such a homegrown approach comes with significant risks and requires a serious capital investment and strong IT and legal expertise.
Another option is to rely on a managed file transfer provider that has already built a platform designed to support compliance programs and has received certifications such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001. This is the preferred approach for security-conscious organizations, because MFT vendors specialize in secure file transfer, meaning their engineering teams are quicker to respond to the latest
The organization doesn’t have to initiate such updates, and the cost will be far lower than that of a custom solution. Better still, because the managed file transfer platform has received third-party compliance certifications, organizations that use the provider’s platform can reference those certifications where appropriate in their own compliance reports.
The Integration of Managed File Transfer Systems with GRC Platforms
Because regulatory compliance is so complex, many organizations use a GRC platform to manage and track anything compliance related. GRC stands for Governance, Risk and Compliance. As such, a GRC system brings together the policies governing the organization, risk management initiatives, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. Having all of this information in one place can improve data-driven decision-making, and it can also help the organization to operate responsibly and transparently.
Historically, file transfers have been a pain point for organizations that are subject to regulatory requirements. After all, file transfers have often been based on legacy software that was never designed to adhere to today’s data monitoring requirements. Instead of transferring files in a way that complicates compliance, organizations can adopt a secure file transfer system with robust transfer logs that are stored centrally to support compliance audits. This approach can transform the file transfer process from a compliance headache into a compliance enabler.
Linking a managed file transfer platform to an organization’s GRC platform can support ongoing compliance monitoring efforts. If a file transfer is identified as potentially conflicting with an organization’s compliance requirements, the transfer may be blocked and an alert raised, depending on configuration.
Another benefit to bringing managed file transfer together with GRC is that doing so helps with centralized visibility. Those who are tasked with maintaining compliance will be better able to track data as it moves into and out of the organization.
Finally, linking a business’ managed file transfer platform to its GRC system allows for centralized audit reporting, meaning that employees no longer have to worry about manually gathering evidence in an effort to satisfy auditors. In fact, centralized auditing systems may reduce the cost and complexity of compliance audits.
The Advantage of Public Attestation in Building Trust
It isn’t just the auditors who expect businesses to remain compliant and to handle data responsibly. Customers and partners also expect transparency when it comes to data security.
Public attestation makes it easy for customers, partners and stakeholders to review information related to an organization’s compliance posture, while also demonstrating the organization’s commitment to responsible data-handling. This in turn helps to build digital trust.
In everyday life, you trust your bank to keep your money safe. You trust your doctor to look after your health. Digital trust is like that, except that it pertains to confidence in an organization’s approach to protecting sensitive data. This trust can be the deciding factor determining whether or not a potential customer is willing to do business with that organization. Trust may also impact a partner’s willingness to share sensitive information.
Ultimately, businesses are built on trust, and digital trust is paramount in today’s connected world. Businesses leveraging a secure file transfer system from a leading vendor are signaling their commitment to handling sensitive data with care.
Continue reading...