Set Up Scheduled FTP Reports with a Trusted Certificate Follow
Beginning January 30, 2026, scheduled reports sent through File Transfer Protocol (FTP) must use a trusted Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate issued by a Certificate Authority. Self-signed certificates are no longer supported because they cannot be verified as secure.
This guide walks you through what is required, how to check your setup, and how to update your certificate if needed.
Who Needs to Make a Change?
You do not need to make any changes if your FTP server already uses a certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority. You only need to update your FTP server’s certificate if your FTP service uses a self-signed certificate.
Requirements for Scheduled FTP Reports
To continue receiving scheduled reports successfully and securely, your FTP, Secure FTP (SFTP), or FTP Secure (FTPS) server must use a trusted SSL certificate.
The certificate must be issued by a recognized Certificate Authority, such as:
- DigiCert
- GlobalSign
- Sectigo
- Let’s Encrypt
- or another trusted certificate provider.
To update your FTP Server with a trusted certificate:
Follow the steps below if you currently use a self-signed certificate or need to install a new trusted certificate.
- Choose a Certificate Authority: Select a trusted provider to issue your SSL certificate. Popular options include DigiCert, GlobalSign, Sectigo, and Let’s Encrypt.
- Create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): A Certificate Signing Request is generated on the server hosting your FTP service. It contains the information the Certificate Authority needs to create your certificate.
- Submit the CSR to the Certificate Authority: The CA will validate your request and issue your signed SSL certificate.
- Install the Certificate on Your FTP Server: Install the certificate and any required intermediate or chain files. Update your FTP, SFTP, or FTPS configuration so it uses the new certificate.
- Restart Your File Transfer Service: Restart your FTP/SFTP/FTPS service to activate the updated certificate.
- Test Your Connection: Send a test file or run a scheduled report to confirm your connection without security warnings or certificate errors.