Before diving into where we are now and heading in 2025 to provide secure file transfer, let’s review highlights of our file transfer history. Here’s a quick navigation timeline:
• 2001: Before and After 9/11 »
• Early 2000s: Cloud-Hosted FTP Replacement Offering »
• Mid 2000s: File Transfer Feature Expansion »
• Late 2000s: Analysts Recognize Thru’s MFT Integration »
• Kicking Off 2010s: Continued Accolades for Cloud MFT »
• Mid 2010s: “Ad Hoc” Becomes “EFSS” and then “CCP” »
• 2020 to Now: Today’s Cloud MFT Solution »
• Mid 2020s: Focus on Cybersecurity and Compliance »
• 2025 & Onward: The Future of MFT Is Security »
• Secure and in the Cloud from Day 1 »
• Born in the Cloud – Built for the Future »
How Thru Became the First Cloud-Native MFT Solution
When the WWW format introduced easy-to-access websites and easy-to-use hyperlinks, businesses quickly adopted the internet and then relied on file transfer protocol (FTP) as their main tool for sharing files. However, they soon realized it was a very unsecure way to transfer critical business data. With the rise in business adoption also came the rise in hackers and what has come to be known as cybercrimes. It was obvious that there was a need for a secure way to transfer files.
This was the genesis of Thru…
Lee Harrison, co-founder and CEO of Thru, Inc., decided to use his expertise in software innovations to develop a cloud-native managed file transfer (MFT) solution to fill the secure file transfer gap for businesses. We were set on a journey to revolutionize file transfer!
2001: Before and After 9/11
However, after the events of 9/11, markets were in such turmoil that Lee and Rick decided it would be better to join forces rather than compete for the Studio Central asset. The successful acquisition of this source code from SGI enabled the launch of the company to be held in Silicon Graphics’ booth at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, NV. Privately held Rumble Group International LLC, now known as Thru, Inc., was formed.
Early 2000s: Cloud-Hosted FTP Replacement Offering
Mid 2000s: File Transfer Feature Expansion
Next, began our push toward a unified file sharing service with our release of the first managed file transfer plugin for Microsoft Outlook. Users could securely send large files without leaving the Outlook interface.
Late 2000s: Analysts Recognize Thru’s MFT Integration
This growth in functionality and integration resulted in Thru being named as a Visionary in the 2009 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed File Transfer.
Kicking Off 2010s: Continued Accolades for Cloud MFT
Mid 2010s: “Ad Hoc” Becomes “EFSS” and then “CCP”
Our efforts paid off: Thru was named a “Niche Player” in the 2015 and 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrants for Enterprise File Synchronization and Sharing. Subsequently, Thru was named a “Niche Player” in the 2017 and 2018 Gartner Magic Quadrants for Content Collaboration Platforms. Info-Tech, Forrester Research and other analysts also included us in their coverage of file transfer vendors.
With continued recognition by analysts and exhibited proof of an established, yet agile file transfer solution, our wins against giants in the marketplace grew. This increased exposure led to Thru, Inc., filing a lawsuit against file hosting provider, Dropbox, Inc. (Nasdaq: DBX), for trademark infringement. This settlement temporarily set us back, but we pushed through and had a comeback as we neared the end of the decade.
Ending 2010s: Gaining MFT Integration Partnerships
In 2019, we increased our integration platform reach by partnering with Boomi™. Our MFT connector is accessible in Boomi AtomSphere and allows its users to experience the benefits of separating file transfers from business processes.
Our out-of-the-box connectors consolidate file transfers in a single, centralized system giving enterprises secure and extremely fast file transfer performance, granular audits, end-to-end visibility, automated partner onboarding, reusable endpoints and the benefits and convenience of the cloud. These capabilities are also possible by use of our APIs for custom automated file transfer integrations.
2020 to Now: Today’s Cloud MFT Solution
While the COVID years were challenging, we emerged from this period as strong as ever. Our customers gave us positive user reviews on Gartner Peer Insights and G2 Reviews . Additionally, numerous times we were named Leader and High Performer in the G2 Grid® Report for Managed File Transfer (MFT) published each quarter. Other badges received include Best Usability, Best Results, Easiest To Do Business With-Enterprise and Easiest Admin-Mid-Market.
Mid 2020s: Focus on Cybersecurity and Compliance
Our ongoing focus and emphasis on security enabled us to achieve multiple third-party security assessments and certifications:
- CyberVadis Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Performance »
- Security Rating by Bitsight Technologies »
- Cybersecurity Rating by SecurityScorecard »
- Cyber Essentials Certification »
Our certification accomplishments culminated in late 2024 with our successful completion of SOC 2 Type I audit report, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to maintaining a secure and trustworthy environment for handling sensitive data for our customers.
2025 & Onward: The Future of MFT Is Security
The research confirms what we as a provider of secure file transfer continue to see: Strengthening data security and remaining compliant are top priorities for businesses.
As the data sharing industry grows so do regulations requiring stricter data security and privacy protection. MFT features, such as centralized visibility, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and file transfer automations that reduce human access and error, provide a proven means for businesses to achieve their goals.
Secure and in the Cloud from Day 1
Data Security Focus Points
As we kick off 2025, Thru continues to specialize in providing cloud-native managed file transfer solutions designed to prioritize data security. The key points of our focus in data security are
- Data Protection: End-to-end encryption (e.g., AES-256) ensures data is secure during transfer and at rest.
- Authentication Controls: Features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access controls (RBAC) enhance security by managing and monitoring access to sensitive information.
- Audit Trails: Thru’s MFT solution provides comprehensive logging and reporting for accountability and compliance purposes.
- Compliance: Thru adheres to stringent compliance standards, helping businesses meet requirements like SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA and others.
- Preparing for SOC 2 Type 2: Thru recently completed its SOC 2 Type 1 audit, confirming our controls are properly designed. Type 2 will validate operational effectiveness over an extended period.
Cloud-Native Benefits
In addition to our enterprise-grade zero trust security approach, Thru’s distributed microservices design offers these key benefits:
- Infinite Scalability: A Thru instance expands dynamically to accommodate ever-growing file transfer needs. It is not tethered to a single virtual machine.
- Continuous Updates with Zero Downtime: Constant, seamless feature and security updates bolster defenses against emerging threats, without disrupting operations.
- API-Centric: Every feature has an API so can be completely programmatic for a connected IT landscape.
- Hybrid Distributed Architecture Option: On-premises MFT agents are controlled by the cloud. Experience the best of both worlds: Scalability of the cloud, with the assurance that sensitive data remains on your private network.
Born in the Cloud – Built for the Future
From our beginning, Thru’s cloud-native MFT platform was designed for businesses with the principles of security, integration, flexibility and scalability at heart. With our usage-based pricing enabling a more efficient use of budget, Thru now serves everyone from small businesses to the largest global enterprise customers.
