MFT — secure file transfer and automation for organisations
Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a class of solutions for secure, controlled and auditable file transfer between systems, branches and business partners. Unlike plain FTP or e-mail, MFT provides encryption at rest and in transit, a full audit trail, role-based access control and automation of repetitive transfer processes. It is a critical infrastructure component wherever a confidentiality breach in a file transfer represents a real financial or regulatory risk.
Virtline deploys and maintains proven MFT platforms — MOVEit Transfer and MOVEit Automation from Progress Software, GoAnywhere MFT from Fortra together with the GoAnywhere Gateway module, and BlackBerry Workspaces. We select the solution to match the scale, sector and regulatory requirements of your organisation — with compliance to NIS2, GDPR, DORA and internal security policies in mind.
What does an MFT deployment include?
We work with platforms recognised by Gartner and Forrester analysts. The deployment scope is tailored to your business processes and includes:
End-to-end encryption — file protection at rest and in transit using AES-256, OpenPGP, TLS and SFTP.
Complete audit trail — a log of every file operation: who, when, from where, to where and with what result. Essential for NIS2, GDPR and DORA control procedures.
Process automation — schedules, event-triggered rules and integrations with ERP, EDI and warehouse management systems.
RBAC access control — role-based permissions, integration with Active Directory and LDAP, multi-factor authentication.
B2B partner exchange — secure channels: AS2, AS4, OFTP2, EDI and sector protocols required in supply chain operations.
High availability — clustering, load balancing and DR mechanisms ensuring continuity of critical transfers.
Benefits of MFT deployment
Eliminating human error risk — automatic triggers replace manual copying and e-mail transfers.
Regulatory compliance — ready-made reporting mechanisms for NIS2, GDPR, DORA, PCI DSS and sector requirements.
Faster transfers — accelerated data exchange with partners and between internal systems.
Centralised control — a single management panel instead of scattered scripts, FTP servers and ad-hoc e-mail transfers.
Data leakage prevention — granular policies, data classification and integration with DLP solutions.
Lower operational costs — reduction of IT team time and elimination of costly security incidents.
Scalability — the platform grows with transfer volumes without rewriting integrations.
MFT platforms we deploy
Each platform has its specialisation — we select it to match scale, regulatory requirements, integrations and team working methods. Below is a brief characterisation of the five solutions we work with most frequently.
1. MOVEit Transfer — the flagship MFT from Progress Software. A leading file transfer management platform with a strong emphasis on security, compliance with PCI DSS, HIPAA and SOX, and full visibility of every transfer. Ideal for financial services, healthcare and public administration.
2. MOVEit Automation — the automation engine complementing MOVEit Transfer. Enables design of complex workflows, task scheduling and business system integration. Eliminates manual operations and accelerates data management across the organisation.
3. GoAnywhere MFT — Fortra’s advanced solution for automating and securing critical file transfers between systems and business partners. Supports all common protocols (SFTP, FTPS, AS2, AS4, HTTPS), offers built-in OpenPGP encryption and a rich set of cloud connectors.
4. GoAnywhere Gateway — an additional security layer for GoAnywhere MFT. Provides full protection via Reverse and Forward Proxy functions, hiding MFT servers from direct Internet exposure. Ideal for DMZ deployments required by sector regulations.
5. BlackBerry Workspaces — secure file storage, synchronisation and sharing regardless of location. Combines MFT functionality with mobility and remote work, adding DRM protection of document content after sharing — with the ability to revoke access at any time.
Who is MFT for?
MFT is the solution for organisations where daily file exchange involves sensitive, regulated or business-critical data. Deployment makes the most sense where:
- NIS2, GDPR, DORA, PCI DSS, HIPAA or sector-specific requirements apply
- hundreds or thousands of files are transferred daily between systems
- B2B data exchange with partners uses AS2, AS4, EDI or OFTP2
- teams still rely on FTP, e-mail and manual scripts
- a complete audit log of file operations is absent
- a security incident or transfer interruption means real financial losses
- integration with ERP, MES, EDI or warehouse systems must work reliably
- regulatory or external audits require demonstrated control over data
MFT is most commonly used by banks, insurance companies, healthcare organisations, logistics supply chain providers, automotive manufacturers and public administration. Anywhere that loss or uncontrolled disclosure of a file means a regulatory penalty or loss of client trust.
Frequently asked questions about MFT
How does MFT differ from plain FTP or SFTP?
FTP and SFTP are protocols. MFT is a class of platforms that include secure transfer protocols (SFTP, FTPS, AS2, AS4, HTTPS) but add a management layer: a complete audit trail, RBAC access control, automation, business system integrations, compliance reporting and high-availability mechanisms. Bare SFTP provides neither auditability, nor automation, nor central policy management.
Is MFT required by NIS2 or GDPR?
NIS2 and GDPR do not mandate a specific technology, but they do require secure data transfer, access control, event monitoring and operational continuity. MFT delivers all of these requirements in a single, auditable tool — which significantly simplifies demonstrating compliance during regulatory inspections.
How long does an MFT platform deployment take?
A pilot deployment covering a single transfer process typically completes within 4–6 weeks. Full production deployment with integration of several systems, migration of existing FTP scripts and implementation of security policies is a 3–6 month project. Each stage produces a working piece of the solution — you do not wait half a year for the first visible result.
Can MFT run in the cloud?
Yes. All platforms we support — MOVEit, GoAnywhere and BlackBerry Workspaces — operate both on-premise and in the cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) and in hybrid mode. The choice of model depends on regulatory requirements, corporate policies and the location of source systems. We advise on architecture selection — a hybrid is often the optimal answer.
What is GoAnywhere Gateway and when is it needed?
GoAnywhere Gateway is a module operating in the DMZ as a Reverse and Forward Proxy. It hides MFT servers from direct Internet exposure — all connections from external partners terminate at the proxy, while the actual MFT server remains in the internal network zone. It is required or strongly recommended wherever security policies or regulators require a DMZ architecture.
Does Virtline support existing MFT deployments?
Yes. We provide post-deployment support for MOVEit, GoAnywhere and BlackBerry Workspaces platforms — from configuring new transfer processes, through performance tuning and version upgrades, to incident response. We also help migrate from outdated FTP solutions and standalone scripts to a mature MFT platform without interrupting critical processes. Contact us to discuss the scope for your organisation.
Why choose Virtline for MFT deployment
Virtline has been deploying and maintaining MFT-class solutions for clients in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and public administration for many years. We combine knowledge of Progress Software, Fortra and BlackBerry platforms with practical experience in meeting NIS2, GDPR, DORA and PCI DSS requirements. Our deployments are auditable, documented and prepared for regulatory inspection.
What you get when you choose Virtline for MFT:
Expertise with MOVEit, GoAnywhere and BlackBerry Workspaces
TÜV NORD security certificate — ISO 27001:2023
Deployments in banking, public administration and healthcare
Knowledge of NIS2, GDPR, DORA and PCI DSS requirements
Integrations with ERP, MES, EDI, AD/LDAP, SIEM
Migrations from FTP, SFTP and custom scripts without downtime
Post-deployment support SLA and incident response
Training for administrators and business users
Complete post-deployment documentation for regulatory audits
Contact us to discuss platform selection for your organisation’s processes, estimate the deployment scope and plan migration from existing tools.
Deploy MFT with Virtline — gain control, automation and regulatory compliance.
ISO/IEC 27001:2023 Certification
Virtline certified by TÜV NORD
Virtline holds the PN-EN ISO/IEC 27001:2023-08 certificate issued by TÜV NORD. Certificate number: AC090 121/2469/6137/2026, valid until 02.2029. MFT deployments are designed in alignment with our audited information security management system.
Talk to a Virtline expert
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