Managed File Transfer Glossary

Trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) is a lightweight file transfer protocol typically used for bootstrapping devices or transferring configuration files in closed networks. TFTP supports only basic read and write operations, and it does not include authentication or encryption, which makes it unsuitable for secure managed file transfer (MFT) environments.

Triple DES (3DES) was a symmetric-key encryption algorithm that applies the older Data Encryption Standard (DES) cipher three times to each data block to increase key bit length and improve security. It was used in some file transfer protocols to protect sensitive data during transmission, but it has since been replaced by stronger algorithms like AES.

Transport layer security, or TLS, is a tool that protects data in transit. It scrambles the data so others cannot read it. It also checks that nothing in the transfer has been changed. TLS is used in protocols like FTPS and HTTPS. It replaced SSL, which is now outdated. Many organizations use TLS to follow security mandates and to share files safely with partners or internal departments.

Transmission control protocol (TCP) is a fundamental transport layer protocol that enables information to travel across the internet. It establishes connections between a client and server, breaks transmitted data into ordered segments, numbers these packets and ensures error-checked delivery through acknowledgments and retransmissions. Most secure file transfer protocols and applications rely on TCP to open control and data channels, manage data flow and detect errors during file movement.