How To Transfer Data Securely Using AS2 Protocol

What is the Meaning of AS2?

AS2 stands for Applicability Statement 2, which is an EDI (electronic data interchange) protocol that allows businesses to securely transfer data over the Internet. It works by using digital certificates and encryption to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data being sent and received. AS2 is a popular protocol among trading partners due to its reliability, scalability, and affordability.

Is AS2 Still Relevant?

Yes, AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is still used today. It has become the most widely adopted EDI protocol for securely and quickly transmitting messages in many industries, including consumer goods and retail. Over the last two decades, AS2 has become increasingly popular for its cost-efficiency, reliability, and ease of use.

Comparing AS2 and SFTP

The primary difference between AS2 and SFTP is how the secure connection between the client and server is established. AS2 uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) to encrypt the communication channel and information, whereas SFTP uses Secure Shell Protocol (SSH).

In addition, AS2 supports non-repudiation, which provides a digital timestamp for proof of delivery. This can be useful for ensuring that documents have not been modified after delivery. SFTP does not offer this feature, although it does offer other features such as directory listing, file locking, and data compression.

Overall, AS2 is a more secure protocol than SFTP; however, it may not be suitable for all applications due to its requirement for additional hardware or software components. On the other hand, SFTP requires fewer resources but lacks the same high level of security as AS2.

The Difference Between EDI and AS2

The main difference between EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is the method of communication between two trading partners. EDI is a protocol that enables the exchange of structured data in a predetermined format over a variety of networks, including dedicated lines, dial-up connections, or the Internet. AS2, on the other hand, is an Internet-based protocol that uses the Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (S-HTTP) to securely transport data over the Internet.

AS2 offers several advantages over traditional EDI. For instance, AS2 is more secure than EDI as it utilizes public key cryptography to encrypt and digitally sign messages before they are transmitted. This ensures that both parties are able to verify each other’s identity prior to exchanging any sensitive information. Additionally, AS2 supports non-repudiation of receipt, meaning that the sender can prove that the message was received by its intended recipient without having to rely on third-party services or proof of delivery documents. Finally, while EDI often requires expensive dedicated hardware and software for communication between trading partners, AS2 requires only an internet connection and compatible software for both parties. This greatly reduces setup costs for businesses that wish to use this type of technology for exchanging information with their trading partners.

The AS2 Protocol in EDI

AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a standard protocol used to transmit EDI messages over the internet. It was developed in the late 1990s as a secure and reliable alternative to traditional EDI technologies such as FTP and VANs. AS2 delivers messages using HTTP/S, allowing for easy integration with existing web infrastructure. AS2 also provides features such as message encryption, digital signatures, non-repudiation, and receipts that help ensure data security and accuracy. As a result, it has become the preferred EDI protocol for many industries such as retail and consumer goods, where secure and efficient electronic data interchange is essential.

Differences Between AS2 and FTP

The primary difference between File Transport Protocol (FTP) and Applicability Statement two (AS2) is the security features that AS2 provides. FTP is a protocol used to transfer files between computers over the Internet, while AS2 is an application-level protocol that provides secure file transfer capabilities. With FTP, data is transferred in plain text and can be intercepted and read by anyone with access to the network. AS2, on the other hand, uses digital certificates and encryption to protect the data being transferred. Additionally, AS2 enables message acknowledgments which allows for reliable delivery of messages as well as non-repudiation of origin which ensures that the sender of a message can’t deny having sent it. This makes it more suitable for use in business transactions than FTP. Furthermore, AS2 supports larger file sizes than FTP due to its highly compressed data format and can also send files over longer distances without interruption.

Differences Between AS2 and SSL

AS2 and SSL are both secure protocols used for data transmission over the internet. The main difference between them is that AS2 does not require a Certification Authority (CA) signed certificate to be trusted by trading partners, whereas SSL does. This means that with AS2, Key Pairs, and Certificates are usually generated locally and self-signed, and then the certificate is distributed as a DER or PEM encoded file.

SSL on the other hand requires an SSL Certificate from a CA in order to be trusted by the browser. This process can involve requesting a certificate from the CA, submitting your domain name and other information, verifying domain control, installing the certificate on the server, configuring your server to use it, and more.

Both AS2 and SSL provide secure connections though; with AS2 you have more control over encryption settings as it is not tied to a single CA like with SSL. Additionally, AS2 also supports non-repudiation which allows for stronger digital signatures than what is available with SSL.

Source: venafi.com

Understanding AS2 in B2B Transactions

AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a protocol used for the secure and reliable transmission of structured business-to-business (B2B) data over the internet. This protocol ensures the highest level of security by using digital certificates, encryption, and message compression, making it the preferred choice for B2B transactions. AS2 works by sending messages that contain information about a transaction from one business to another. The recipient’s system receives and decrypts the message, validates the digital certificate, and then sends a response back to the sender confirming the transaction was successful. AS2 also provides non-repudiation which is an assurance that a transaction has taken place and cannot be denied by either party later on. With this protocol, businesses can quickly share information with their trading partners in an efficient, secure, and reliable manner.

The Security of AS2 Over HTTP

Yes, AS2 over HTTP is secure. The HTTPS protocol used by AS2 encrypts data while in transit to prevent eavesdropping and tampering. An SSL certificate is also required to ensure the identity of the trading partners and verify that the communication is secure. Additionally, S/MIME encryption can be applied for further protection of the data being transferred. Finally, file hashing can be used to detect any changes or alterations to the data during transmission. All these measures make AS2 over HTTP a highly secure method of data exchange between trading partners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a secure and efficient EDI protocol that allows businesses to exchange data with their trading partners. It provides several advantages over traditional EDI methods, such as encryption of communication channels and S/MIME encryption of actual information. Furthermore, AS2 runs over TCP/IP networks, meaning the receiving computer must be connected to the Internet at the time the document is sent. As a result, its usage has grown significantly in industries such as consumer goods and retail over the last 20 years.