FTP Vs Cloud – a comparative review

Cloud and FTP are common forms of file sharing between users. Which of the two would better suit your needs and requirements?

FTP and cloud are online sharing modes or file transfer programs with cloud offering more advanced features. Neither of the two is free, with the cost needing to be weighed against their utility and efficiency, which is relative to the requirements presented by a user. This review seeks o explore the functionalities of the two aside from giving detailed differences in order to allow the user to make the decision that will best suit them between the two.

What are the differences between FTP and Cloud?

Feature	FTP	Cloud (Winner)
Accessibility	Requires FTP client	Can be accessed on any web server
Security	Low	High
Port number	Port 21	Not specified
Cost for a server	High	Low

FTP Vs Cloud – How do they compare?

• Mode of access

One would need an FTP client and to use both port 21 and 20 in order to access the files and folders on an FTP server, which makes it difficult to do so away from your regular work station. In the case of could, a user only needs their authentication information, allowing them to access the files from any device without using up any of the device memory, given that they have an internet connection. Cloud is easier to access than FTP.

• Cost

The cost of an individual FTP server is dependent on the service provider, in relation to the additional features and services offered. Cloud services tend to be more uniform and their prices have dropped by over a third in the last 5 years. This makes cloud significantly cheaper than FTP.

• Security

FTP is known to be insecure. This is because it has a single factor authentication process which makes use of a plain text password and ID authentication process. In addition to this, it has no traceability with its accessed files, therefore no one will be able to race the individuals who have accessed or even downloaded a particular file once it is on the server. Cloud is very secure, with its data being encrypted, which makes it less vulnerable to hacking. In addition to this it provides a detailed log of the files that have been accessed and the users who have accessed them. This allows for transparency and in the case of hacking, leaves a trail, which discourages potential hackers. Therefore, Cloud is more secure than FTP.

FTP Vs Cloud – A comparison review

FTP

File Transfer protocol is an Internet Network protocol that is designed to allow for data transfer between devices. It uses two ports, port 20 and port 21 to establish a data connection as well as a commands and response one allowing it to transfer large amounts of data. This duality of ports also increases its speed and allows for convenient features like queuing of files as well as pausing and resuming transfers. The biggest setback with using FTP is its lack of security since it has a single factor authentication process, which is in plain text, making it vulnerable to hacking. Another factor that undermines the security in FTP is its lack of traceability. There is no log for the access of files in the server, therefore a hacker can get in and out of the system without being detected.

Pros

• It allows users to access other devices away from the area of work or office
• It is easy to use
• It is easy to transfer information

Cons

• Its data exchange happens in plain text
• Its servers are costly
• It has wanting management for its permissions
• Its traceability is not ideal

Cloud

The cloud is the use of remote servers that are hosted on the internet to create file storage that can be accessed by a number of authorized users. These servers also process and manage the data in an environment that is encrypted and secure. Access to the cloud can be granted by using a device with a functional internet connection, given that the user has their authorization credentials. It is designed to be used by a user on any device without eating into the storage of the device in use, which makes it very convenient. Its data is encrypted, which makes it less prone to hacking and it has a traceability log which records every user who has accessed the cloud and their activity on the cloud. This creates transparency and allows the users to be informed if their data is breached.

Pros

• It allows for remote access of files from different devices
• It is secure
• It has user tracking abilities
• It has traffic reporting abilities
• It is affordable

Cons

• It allows for a limited number of users

Conclusion

FTP and cloud are designed to serve different purposes, although they both centre on file transfer and sharing. FTP is made to allow for active file transfer that can be likened to sending messages, while cloud is designed as a virtual flash disk that can be accessed by several authorized users. This makes them applicable in vastly different scenarios and creates the basis for the difference in their application areas.

Verdict- So which is better, FTP or Cloud?

The cloud is definitely the better option because of its additional security and remote and convenient accessibility.

FAQs

Is FTP a cloud?

No, it is not. However, FTP has a cloud storage that allows for remote access of files and storage of data from the file transfers on the protocol.

Is FTP secure?

No, it is not. This is one of the factors that has slowly made FTP phased out in IT. It has an easy to crack single factor authentication process and has no traceability logs, making it easy not only to hack, but to do so without being detected. To remedy this, the protocol can be run over SSH or SSL to give it an added layer of encryption.