In today’s digital economy, organisations are exchanging sensitive data at an unprecedented rate. Whether it’s financial records, legal documents, intellectual property, or personal information, file transfer platforms have become indispensable tools. However, with convenience comes risk – and cybercriminals are increasingly targeting these platforms as a gateway into your business. Penetration testing can play a crucial role in identifying vulnerabilities before attackers do, offering a proactive layer of defence.
If your organisation relies on file transfer platforms like MOVEit, Accellion, WeTransfer, Cleo Communications, or others, understanding the cyber risks and implementing the right controls is not optional – it’s critical.
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Why File Transfer Platforms Are Prime Targets
File transfer systems are attractive to attackers for several reasons:
- High-value data: These platforms often handle sensitive or regulated data, making them a rich target.
- External exposure: File transfers typically involve users outside your network, increasing the attack surface.
- Misconfiguration risks: Poorly configured platforms or lax access controls are easy entry points.
- Zero-day vulnerabilities: As seen with MOVEit, Accellion, and Cleo Communications breaches, attackers exploit unknown vulnerabilities before vendors can patch them.
- Insufficient monitoring: Many organisations overlook logging and alerting on these systems, making it easier for intrusions to go undetected.
Real-World Examples of Compromised Platforms
| Platform/Vendor | Year | Impact & Notes |
| MOVEit (Progress) | 2023 | Over 1,000 organisations breached globally via zero-day flaw. |
| Accellion | 2020 | Legacy software exploited, affecting governments & banks. |
| GoAnywhere MFT | 2023 | Zero-day led to breaches in the healthcare and finance sectors. |
| Cleo Communications | 2024 | Used by Hertz; zero-day exploit led to compromise of file transfer services and customer data. |
What You Can Do to Secure Your File Transfer Platform
Here’s a practical checklist to help ensure your file transfer platform doesn’t become your weakest link:
Assess the Platform’s Security Posture
- Is the platform actively supported and updated by the vendor?
- Has it had a recent history of vulnerabilities?
- Does it offer end-to-end encryption, audit trails, and multi-factor authentication?
Patch and Update Regularly
- Apply security updates and patches as soon as they become available.
- Subscribe to the vendor’s security bulletins and threat advisories.
- Conduct penetration testing by reputed cybersecurity companies.
Enforce Strong Access Controls
- Use least privilege principles – restrict access based on job roles.
- Enable MFA for all users, especially external collaborators.
- Disable unused accounts and enforce strong password policies.
Enable Logging and Monitoring
- Monitor for suspicious access patterns and data downloads.