SFTP Audit Logs: Essential for GDPR Compliance

Published {$created} by Carsten Blum

If you're dealing with sensitive data and navigating GDPR compliance, migrating from plain FTP or even FTPS to SFTP is a critical first step. But simply using SFTP isn't enough. The true power, especially when it comes to demonstrating compliance, lies in leveraging SFTP audit logs.

Many businesses start with basic FTP for file transfers, then move to FTPS for encryption. However, SFTP, built on SSH, provides a much more robust and secure solution. SFTP inherently includes encryption and integrity checks, offering a superior foundation for secure data exchange. You can learn more about the differences in FTP 101: FTP vs. SFTP vs. FTPS.

The GDPR Imperative

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) isn’t just about data security; it's about accountability. If a data breach occurs, you need to demonstrate that you’ve taken reasonable steps to protect data. Audit logs provide exactly that: a traceable record of who accessed what data, when, and from where. Without them, demonstrating compliance can be extremely difficult and costly.

Audit Logs: Your Traceable Record

With ftpGrid, our SFTP audit logs include vital information like IP addresses, geolocation data, timestamps, and the specific actions performed (uploads, downloads, deletions). This provides a clear audit trail that can be invaluable during security audits and incident investigations. Our detailed audit logging is crucial for maintaining GDPR compliance. You can view individual account usage and an activity timeline in your Dashboard.

Simple Migration, Powerful Results

Migrating to SFTP with full audit logging doesn’t have to be a complex undertaking. ftpGrid offers instant setup and supports key-based authentication, including SSH-ED25519, which is considered best practice. If you're new to SSH keys, take a look at Create SSH Keys for SFTP, SCP Authentication. We also provide a Quick Start guide to get you up and running quickly.