File transfer protocols are standardized methods used to transfer files between computers over a network. They govern how data is formatted, transmitted, and authenticated, ensuring secure and efficient data exchange. Popular file transfer protocols include:
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol): One of the earliest protocols, it provides a basic framework for file transfer but lacks strong security features.
- SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol): An extension of SSH, it encrypts both command and data channels for secure file transfer.
- FTPS (FTP Secure): An enhanced version of FTP that adds SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication.
- HTTP/S (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): Commonly used for web file transfers, it encrypts data via SSL/TLS.
- AS2 (Applicability Statement 2): Widely used in B2B exchanges, it provides secure and reliable file transfer with encryption and digital signatures.
These protocols offer features such as encryption, authentication, data integrity verification, and compression to facilitate reliable file transfer in different environments, catering to various security and compliance requirements.
