When working with external organizations and departments, having ways to securely transfer files with Microsoft 365 can be a challenge. Methods of secure file transfer like SFTP (or FTP) are not natively supported by the Microsoft Suite (SharePoint and OneDrive), meaning you need to create custom connectors or use third-party tools.
However, although SFTP isn't supported natively by M65, it doesn't mean it's not possible to use the protocol with its storage platforms. By using Couchdrop, you can add secure file transfer and SFTP functionality to your Microsoft 365 storage platforms.
In this guide, we'll show you how to connect Microsoft 365 storage platforms to Couchdrop and how you can securely transfer files using SFTP and other methods.
Connecting to O365 SharePoint and OneDrive via SFTP with Couchdrop
The steps to configure SFTP/FTP for O365 SharePoint and OneDrive in Couchdrop are:
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Connect your SharePoint or OneDrive and specify the root directory
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Create additional users with granular permissions and directory access
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Have users connect to via SFTP using their new credentials
Connect your SharePoint or OneDrive
Configuring your Microsoft storage as an SFTP/FTP server takes less than a minute. All you need to do is create an account and connect your storage using OAuth.
SharePoint can also be connected via application access if required to meet your organization's polices. This method is more involved to configure, but the end result functions similarly. We recommend using the more straightforward delegation method when possible.
Once the storage platform is connected, confirm in Couchdrop that the connection is successful. Here, you can also choose a folder to act as the root for the integration. After confirming and adding the integration, the root will appear as a virtual folder within Couchdrop's file browser.
Create additional users
In order for external users to connect via SFTP, you need to create these users first. A powerful benefit of Couchdrop is that it functions as a cloud SFTP server. This server is created automatically at registration using the details you provided at signup, with no configs, VMs, or infrastructure management required.
As a Cloud SFTP server, it's simple to create FTP and SFTP users directly in the platform with granular access controls. You can then connect these users to any folder in your Couchdrop account, including ones like above that are visual representations of your SharePoint site.
What this means is that the external user can access the M65 directory using an SFTP connection because Couchdrop is both an SFTP server and an integration platform for cloud storage. The users you create can be isolated to the virtual cloud folder or even a subfolder within the account. This lets them access specific data without having to be a user in your Microsoft 365 organization.
External users can be created manually or autogenerated using Couchdrop. With either method, you'll need to send users their credentials. This can be done directly in Couchdrop by generating a credential email.
Connecting with an SFTP client
Once your M365 storage connection is integrated with Couchdrop, external users will be able to access the M365 directories and transfer files via the associated transfer protocol. Depending on whether the user will be connecting via SFTP or FTP, they can connect using any FTP or SFTP client.
Connecting using the Couchdrop interface
Alternatively, users have the option to manage files directly in the simple web interface if they have web portal access enabled. Files can be uploaded and downloaded directly from the browser, and since you can limit a user to a specific folder as their root directory, they'll only see the information they have access to.
This is an excellent approach to use for users who are unfamiliar with SFTP and SFTP servers. They can use a modern interface to securely transfer files without needing to know what's happening under the hood.
Other secure file transfer options
Connecting to M365 via SFTP is only one option Couchdrop has for secure file transfers. Depending on the use case, another method may be more appropriate. You can combine multiple methods in one account, enabling your organization to be flexible on how files are securely transferred to and from your accounts.
Upload Links are secure web portals where users can upload files directly to a storage directory, including folders in both OneDrive and SharePoint. The portal can be whitelabelled with your branding to help instill trust, and you can collect information via custom forms to go along with document submissions as well.
Shared Links allow you to share files from your cloud storage securely. Like with Upload Links, this download portal can be customized with your branding. Files can also be uploaded to a temporary location on Couchdrop's secure hosted storage to completely separate users from your storage.
All methods include customizable security such as email allow lists and one-time use to ensure only the right people can access the data.
Try Couchdrop SFTP for Microsoft free for 14 days
Couchdrop is a modern, simple way to set up secure file transfers for Microsoft 365. If you want to see if Couchdrop will work for you, you can try the platform free for 14 days with instant access and no credit card required. Simply sign up and go to start your free trial today.