SFTP and legacy MFT share the same security problems
SFTP relies on static SSH keys. Legacy MFT wraps SFTP in a vulnerable appliance. Neither was designed for zero trust, ephemeral credentials, or modern compliance requirements.
Understand the real security trade-offs — and what comes after both.
SFTP vs. Legacy MFT vs. MnemoShare
A side-by-side comparison of three approaches to file transfer security.
| Capability | SFTP | Legacy MFT | MnemoShare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication | SSH keys / passwords | Local accounts + AD | SSO + MFA + ephemeral JWTs |
| Credential Lifespan | Permanent (SSH keys) | Long-lived (passwords/tokens) | Ephemeral (auto-expires) |
| Attack Surface | SSH daemon + key sprawl | Monolithic appliance (IIS/Java) | Minimal — isolated microservices |
| Audit Trail | Server logs only | Appliance-local database | Immutable events + WORM + SIEM |
| Content Scanning | None | Third-party add-on | Built-in ClamAV + PHI/PII |
| Encryption at Rest | Disk-level (if configured) | Appliance-managed | AES-256-GCM per-file |
| CVE Exposure | OpenSSH vulnerabilities | MOVEit, GoAnywhere, Accellion CVEs | Modern, minimal attack surface |
| Deployment | Linux server | Windows/Linux appliance | Docker / K8s / SaaS |
The security problems SFTP and MFT share
Different implementations, same fundamental weaknesses.
Long-Lived Credentials
SFTP uses permanent SSH keys. Legacy MFT uses long-lived passwords and tokens. Both create standing access that accumulates over time and becomes the primary attack vector.
Insufficient Audit Trails
SFTP logs are minimal — filename, timestamp, IP address. MFT appliances store logs locally and tie them to the appliance lifecycle. Neither produces evidence-grade, tamper-evident records.
No Content Awareness
Neither SFTP nor most MFT platforms inspect what's being transferred. PHI, PII, and malware pass through undetected. Content scanning is bolted on as an afterthought, if at all.
Where to start
Whether you're using SFTP, legacy MFT, or both — here's the fastest path to modern secure file exchange.
If you're using SFTP
Your biggest risk is credential sprawl — SSH keys that never expire, shared across teams and partners. Start by replacing your most sensitive SFTP flows.
- Eliminate static SSH key management
- Add identity verification for every access
- Get evidence-grade audit trails immediately
If you're using legacy MFT
Your biggest risk is the appliance itself — monolithic platforms with large attack surfaces, as proven by MOVEit, GoAnywhere, and Accellion breaches.
- Remove the monolithic attack surface
- Eliminate vendor lock-in and opaque pricing
- Move to microservices with blast radius containment
Move beyond SFTP and legacy MFT
See how MnemoShare replaces both approaches with identity-bound, ephemeral file exchange — with audit trails that satisfy compliance and withstand breach investigations.