Overview

At Fullpath, we prioritize the security and integrity of your data. When undertaking data transfer projects, it’s essential to follow best practices to protect sensitive information and ensure smooth, reliable exchanges. This article guides you through recommended methods and security controls for data transfers, helping you avoid common pitfalls and vulnerabilities.

Why Secure Data Transfer Matters

Data transfer is a critical part of many business processes, but sending or receiving data insecurely can expose sensitive information to unauthorized access, interception, or tampering. This can lead to data breaches, compliance violations, and loss of customer trust and reputation.To minimize these risks, it is advised to adopt methods and protocols designed with security in mind and to follow recommended controls.

Recommended Data Transfer Methods

1. API Integration: The Best Choice

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) enable automated, real-time data exchanges between systems. When implemented securely, APIs are the most efficient and safe method for data transfer projects.

Benefits of Using API Integrations:

• Real-time data exchange: Enables up-to-date, accurate information sharing.
• Automated workflows: Reduces manual handling and human error.
• Granular access control: Allows users and systems only the permissions they need.
• Enhanced security: Supports encryption and other secure authentication methods.

Essential Security Controls for API Integrations:

• Use HTTPS/TLS: Always encrypt API traffic by using HTTPS (TLS) to protect data in transit from interception and tampering.
• Authenticate Requests: Use strong authentication methods such as OAuth 2.0, API keys, or JWT (JSON Web Tokens) to ensure that only authorized systems can access your API.
• Implement Key Rotation: Regularly rotate API keys or tokens to reduce the risk of compromised credentials being used over an extended period.
• Apply IP Restriction: Limit API access to known IP addresses or address ranges to reduce exposure to unauthorized clients.
• Apply Rate Limiting: Prevent abuse and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks by limiting the number of API requests from clients.
• Implement Input Validation: Protect against injection attacks by validating and sanitizing all incoming data.
• Monitor and Log Access: Track API usage to detect anomalies or unauthorized access attempts.
• Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Restrict API operations based on user roles or client types to minimize exposure.
• API Key/token should be shared over a secure channel.

If your systems are not currently integrated via API, consider consulting with your IT team or our support services to explore opportunities for API-based data exchange.

2. Secure File Transfers: Prefer SFTP Over FTP

When API integration is not feasible, transferring files remains a common method for data exchange. However, using unsecured file transfer protocols—like traditional FTP—poses significant security risks because they transmit data and credentials in plain text.

Why Choose SFTP?

The Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) encrypts both file contents and credentials, preventing interception and eavesdropping.

Key Considerations for Secure SFTP Setup:

• Use Strong Encryption Algorithms: Ensure that your SFTP server supports strong ciphers such as AES-256 and disables older, vulnerable algorithms or old versions of SSH.
• Enforce SSH Key Authentication: Use SSH keys instead of passwords for client authentication to improve security and reduce credential theft risks. Manage keys carefully and revoke unused or compromised keys promptly. ECDSA key preferred over RSA.
• Limit User Access: Configure the SFTP server to restrict users to specific directories and limit their permissions to only what is necessary.
• Use Strong Password Policies: If password authentication is allowed, enforce complex passwords and change them regularly.
• Enable Logging and Monitoring: Capture detailed logs of all SFTP sessions and review them frequently to detect suspicious activity.
• Implement IP Whitelisting: Limit connections to your SFTP server from known IP addresses or secure VPN environments.
• Access to our own SFTP server should be only through AWS SSM.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your SFTP server software and underlying operating system to patch known vulnerabilities.

Important: Avoid Sending Customer Data Via Email

Email is a convenient communication tool but is generally unsafe for transmitting sensitive data due to several reasons:

• Data is typically unencrypted: Unless both sender and recipient use end-to-end encryption, emails can be intercepted, exposing sensitive information.
• Increased risk of unintended disclosure: Emails can be accidentally sent to the wrong recipient or forwarded without authorization.
• Difficult to track and control: Once an email leaves your mailbox, you lack control over how the data is stored or shared.

For these reasons, we strongly advise against using email to send customer data or any sensitive files. Instead, use secure APIs or SFTP as described above.

3. Summary

Need Assistance?

Our support team is here to help ensure your data transfers are secure and efficient. If you have questions or need help setting up API integrations or secure SFTP connections, please contact us at support@fullpath.com. Thank you for partnering with us to protect your data.