What (else) can you do with HTTPS file transfer?

With businesses, customers and employees distributed all over the world and using different devices to communicate with each other, the ability to securely transfer files over the internet is a critical component of the modern tech stack. The HTTPS file transfer protocol is one of the most ubiquitous tools to do so, but what exactly is HTTPS file transfer and how can it benefit your organization? This blog post will explain what HTTPS is and why it is a trusted method of file transfer, highlight use cases across a variety of industries, and conclude by showcasing how Cerberus FTP Server by Redwood’s HTTPS web client can enhance your file transfer needs. 

What is HTTPS file transfer? 

 

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the encrypted version of HTTP, designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. HTTPS encrypts data between the client and server using SSL/TLS protocols, ensuring that any information exchanged is protected from eavesdroppers and tampering. 

What are the benefits of HTTPS File Transfer? 

 

1. Security: The primary advantage of HTTPS is its robust security. By encrypting the data, HTTPS ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and protected from cyber threats. For an example of how HTTPS protects data against threats, take a look at this example from Cloudflare:

“With HTTPS, traffic is encrypted such that even if the packets are sniffed or otherwise intercepted, they will come across as nonsensical characters. Let’s look at an example:

Before encryption:
This is a string of text that is completely readable

After encryption:
ITM0IRyiEhVpa6VnKyExMiEgNveroyWBPlgGyfkflYjDaaFf/Kn3bo3OfghBPDWo6AfSHlNtL8N7ITEwIXc1gU5X73xMsJormzzXlwOyrCs+9XCPk63Y+z0= 

2. Authentication: HTTPS verifies the identity of the server, ensuring that users are communicating with the intended recipient and not an impostor. 

3. Data Integrity: HTTPS ensures that data transferred between the client and server remains intact and unaltered during transit. 4. User Trust: Websites using HTTPS are often perceived as more trustworthy by users. The padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar indicates that their information will be encrypted, and they are more likely to proceed with a session as a result (in addition to the fact that most modern browsers will present a number of warnings when submitting data via unencrypted HTTP). 

What common examples of HTTPS file transfer exist on the web? 

 

HTTPS file transfer carries the bulk of today’s internet traffic, and is commonly used in the following areas: 

1. E-commerce: If you’ve made a purchase online, your transaction data such as credit card details and personal information was sent between your device and the online store via HTTPS. 
2. Healthcare: If you’ve logged on to view patient records or other medical information from your healthcare provider, you’ve used HTTPS. 
3. Legal: The majority of document submission and e-sign tools use HTTPS to safeguard sensitive legal information. 
4. Education: Securing the transfer of academic records, student information and research data between educational institutions and students or researchers. 
5. Government: Facilitating secure communication and data transfer between government agencies and citizens, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. 

 

What other file transfer use cases are ideal for HTTPS? 

 

Beyond the common web browsing scenarios above, HTTPS file transfer is ideal for the situations below: 

1. Accepting files and data from site visitors: If your organization accepts file uploads, such as customers submitting documentation, you can configure a password-protected HTTPS site that allows these clients to submit their documents through the browser of their choice. Doing so is often the most user-friendly approach to web document sharing.  
2. Company intranets: Even when protected by significant access security, company intranets are not impenetrable. Using HTTPS file transfer tools on your organization’s intranet will ensure that man-in-the-middle attacks are not able to capture any data in plain text. 
3. Device-agnostic consumption: A significant benefit of HTTPS file transfer is that it can support any device that uses a web browser, which is ideal for scenarios where your clients are operating a wide range of devices.  
4. Multi-media: If you are serving videos, images and other multi-media content, HTTPS is an ideal format for doing so as it allows the client to view this information in their player of choice.    

 

About Cerberus FTP Server’s HTTPS client

 

Cerberus FTP Server provides a robust HTTPS client that combines the security benefits of HTTPS with the efficiency and reliability of a dedicated file transfer solution. Here’s how Cerberus FTP Server’s HTTPS client stands out: 

1. Enhanced security: Cerberus FTP Server uses advanced encryption protocols to ensure that all file transfers are secure and compliant with industry standards. 
2. User-friendly interface: The Cerberus HTTPS client offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the process of managing and transferring files securely. 
3. Comprehensive logging and monitoring: Cerberus FTP Server provides detailed logs and monitoring capabilities, allowing administrators to track file transfers and ensure compliance with security policies. 
4. Scalability: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Cerberus FTP can scale to meet your file transfer needs, offering robust performance and reliability. 
5. Integration capabilities: Cerberus FTP Server can seamlessly integrate with other systems and applications, providing a flexible solution for various organizational workflows. 

For more information on Cerberus FTP Server’s HTTPS client and HTTPS in general, take a look at these resources: 

• About the Cerberus FTP HTTPS Web Client 
• FTPS vs HTTPS: Which is the Right Tool for Secure File Transfer? 
• Guide to SSL: What is an SSL Certificate and How Does it Make Your Website Secure? 

 

In conclusion, HTTPS file transfer is a potentially powerful tool for ensuring secure and reliable data exchange across numerous use cases. By leveraging the powerful features of Cerberus FTP Server’s HTTPS client, organizations can enhance their file transfer processes, protect sensitive information and maintain compliance with security standards.