Success Story: Securing Sensitive Data Transfers for a Financial Services Firm

Jun 30, 2025

Overview

In the financial services industry, the secure transfer of sensitive data is a regulatory necessity—and a reputational imperative. A growing financial services firm approached Davis Powers with an urgent need: to implement a secure, cloud-based SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) solution that would enable encrypted file sharing with external partners while meeting strict compliance and access control requirements.

The goal was clear: strengthen data protections, streamline vendor access, and ensure long-term scalability. Davis Powers delivered a tailored solution that not only met the client's immediate needs, but also positioned them for future growth with confidence.

The Challenge

The client had no centralized or secure method to transfer sensitive data to third parties.

Their primary concerns included:

• Lack of a secure, auditable file transfer mechanism

• No current vendor access management or network restrictions

• Inability to meet compliance expectations for secure file sharing

• Risk of data leakage or unauthorized access using ad hoc methods

• Tight implementation timeline to meet internal and external deadlines

They needed a solution that combined enterprise-grade security with ease of use—built to support their partners without creating friction.

The Davis Powers Solution

We designed and deployed a Microsoft Azure-hosted SFTP environment tailored to the client's compliance, security, and usability requirements. Key components included:

Azure SFTP Architecture

Provisioned a dedicated Azure storage account, enabled SFTP support, and integrated it into their secure cloud environment.

Certificate-Based Authentication

Created unique user accounts for each vendor, using certificates for login instead of passwords, reducing risk of credential compromise.

Strict IP Allowlisting

Configured firewall rules to allow access only from approved vendor IP addresses.

End-to-End Testing

Coordinated closely with vendors to test connectivity, data transfers, and compatibility with existing client-side SFTP tools.

Compliance-Ready Documentation

Provided detailed documentation of the architecture, configuration steps, and operational processes to support future audits and governance.

The Results

• Deployed in Under 2 Weeks – From kickoff to production-ready, the solution was implemented swiftly without delays. 

• Security First – Encrypted transfers, limited IP access, and certificate-only authentication delivered a significant security upgrade. 

• Scalable for Future Growth – The environment can accommodate new vendor connections with minimal effort. 

• Audit-Ready – Documentation and processes aligned with financial industry compliance standards, ready for internal and third-party review.

Why It Mattered

For financial services firms, protecting sensitive financial data isn’t optional—it’s foundational. By implementing a purpose-built SFTP environment, Davis Powers helped this firm eliminate manual workarounds, reduce exposure to risk, and meet compliance obligations with confidence.

This project highlights what’s possible when cloud security and business process design work together. It’s not just about moving files—it’s about building a reliable, secure foundation for vendor collaboration and regulatory assurance.

Need to Secure Your Data Transfers?

If your business relies on sensitive file exchanges with outside parties, now is the time to modernize. Davis Powers can help you implement an SFTP or broader secure cloud architecture that protects your business and supports growth. 

Let’s talk about building your secure, compliant future—one project at a time.