FTPS is a common method of securing an FTP connection. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) was originally designed to allow users to browse directories and transfer files between computer systems. The problem is that the FTP protocol has no provisions for security, and all information, including usernames, passwords and file data, is transmitted unencrypted. So anyone on the same network can easily examine the data as it is sent between machines.
More Secure than FTP
Available in all versions
FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) solves this problem by first securing the connection using SSL or TLS encryption, before any user or file data is exchanged.
What Types of FTPS Exist?
There are generally two modes of secure FTP available:
- FTPS uses implicit SSL/TLS to establish a secure connection before the FTP session begins, very similar to HTTPS. Regular FTP commands are then sent over the secure connection and protected by the TLS/SSL protocol.
- FTPES uses newer FTP commands to explicitily upgrade an unencrypted FTP connection to a secure connection during the initial authentication step. The FTPES protocol is somewhat more firewall friendly that the FTPS protocol, and allows the server and client to negotiate different levels of encryption and integrity protection on the control and data channels.
Is FTPS the Same as SFTP?
Another method of establishing secure connections and exchanging files is called SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), but despite the name similarity, SFTP is an entirely different protocol than FTPS.
Full Feature List
Protocols
FTP, FTP/S, SFTP, SCP, HTTP/S
Transfer Security
SSH, SSL, FIPS 140-2
MFT Automation
Event, Alert & Sync Tools
Environment
Windows Server, Cloud & Virtual
Access Protection
IP, User & Protocol Restriction Tools
Account Management
AD, LDAP, 2FA & More
Auditing and Reporting
File Access, User and Admin Logging
Administration Tools
API, Sync Manager, & Other Tools
Industry Solutions
Cerberus FTP Server Editions
Standard
- FTP/S Server
- SOAP control API
- IP auto-banning
- User groups
- Web administration
- Virtual directories
$499 | 1 Yr Maintenance
Professional
- SFTP server
- AD/LDAP integration
- FIPS-140-2
- Public key authentication
- Client certificate verification
- Server replication
$899 | 1 Yr Maintenance
Enterprise
- MFT server
- HTTPS web client
- Event automation
- Email alerts
- File retention policies
- Ad-hoc sharing
$2,199 | 1 Yr Maintenance
Raved and Reviewed
Here’s what a few of our many satisfied customers have to say about Cerberus FTP Server.
“Our users have found Cerberus to be straightforward. We have handled many service tickets over the past three years, and Cerberus has had the least number of issues, by far.”
“We’ve been using Cerberus for at least five years, and it’s been awesome. Everything’s been very simple and easy, and we haven’t come across any limitations. It always just seems to work.”
“It’s not designed to be complicated, and it doesn’t need to be managed. I can hire someone new and they can be up to speed in minutes. Everyone on the team loves it.”
Latest News
Cerberus FTP Server Named FrontRunner for File Sharing Software by Software Advice
Arlington, VA, September 1, 2022 — Cerberus FTP Server announced today it has been named a 2022 FrontRunner for File Sharing Software by Software Advice. The FrontRunner award recognizes Cerberus for being an industry leader in usability and customer satisfaction....
Best File Transfer for Windows: Evaluating SFTP vs. FTPS Pros and Cons
Choosing a file transfer solution for Windows can be a challenge. The two most popular options: SFTP and FTPS, each have advantages and disadvantages that can impact your business. This blog post will compare SFTP versus FTPS to help you understand which protocol best...
Cerberus FTP Server 12.10 presents Independent Directory and File Level Permissions
Starting with version 12.10, Cerberus FTP supports improved user permission management: permissions for files and folders can be set independently from one another. About the New Feature Starting in version 12.10, we’ve enhanced our original folder permission...