Overview
TIBCO Reward sends and receives data files containing client data through a secure file transfer system, never through an unsecured file transfer mechanism. Note, however, that the sample files used to set up data mapping standards, which have no live or sensitive data, can be sent via email.
An introduction to the subject of file transfer protocols and secure FTP is provided in the Secure Data Transfer section of this guide.
TIBCO Reward has standardized client data exchange on the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). SFTP is a file transfer protocol that uses the SSH (secure shell) environment for authentication and encryption. TIBCO Reward also supports FTPS for AS/400 clients. FTPS is an enhancement to the standard FTP protocol, using the same commands and communication ports with SSL/TLS authentication and encryption.
TIBCO Reward sets up file directories and a corresponding secure client account on TIBCO Reward’s SFTP server for your Company. An FTP client that specifically supports SFTP or FTPS will be required. TIBCO Reward does not provide support for third-party vendor software, however your Company's Integration Engineer should be able to recommend an appropriate FTP client based on your operating system. Your TIBCO Reward Account Management representative will provide you with the required credentials for accessing our system.
All files to be transferred to and from TIBCO Reward MUST BE located inside one of the following folders:
Files should not be stored on the root directory. In many cases, write access to the root directory is denied to avoid confusion. To obtain an exception to this policy, you must explicitly request an exception in writing and obtain written permission, which will document the details and terms of the agreement. If an exception is required, TIBCO Reward will provide you with an additional directory to store files for a short term. To further ensure that your customers' data is secure, eight days of file exports will be available via the FromInstorecard folder (for example, Monday to Monday). Files left on the server for more than eight days are subject to archiving and deletion.
To get access to these secure directories, you need access to an FTP client application that supports SFTP or FTPS as described in Appendix B, Setting Up FTP File Directories. Your TIBCO Reward Account Management representative will provide you with a username and password associated with this SFTP or FTPS application
TIBCO Reward and each of its clients test the secure file transfer system by sending and receiving sample files using the new secure client account.
An excellent introduction to secure FTP protocols and technologies is available at the South River Technologies’ WebDrive site: http://www.webdrive.com/products/webdrive/index.html.
Platform-Specific Constraints
To securely transfer files between systems running a Windows OS, TIBCO Reward typically sets up an SFTP file directory and a corresponding secure account for each client. Some of the legacy platforms will only support the FTPS protocol; therefore, any TIBCO Reward company client that needs to transfer files from these devices will need to install an FTPS solution.
Appendix B, Setting Up FTP File Directories provides instructions for obtaining access to such a client application. These instructions are provided only as an example, for the purposes of illustrating the set-up process.