# SFTP Feature Enabled on Azure Storage Account Without Usage

Canonical: https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/sftp-feature-enabled-on-azure-storage-account-without-usage

[Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) 

# SFTP Feature Enabled on Azure Storage Account Without Usage

## Explanation

Azure users may enable the SFTP feature on Storage Accounts during migration tests, integration scenarios, or experimentation. However, if left enabled after initial use, the feature continues to generate flat hourly charges - even when no SFTP traffic occurs.

Because this fee is incurred silently and independently of storage usage, it often goes unnoticed in cost reviews. When SFTP is not actively used for data ingestion or export, disabling it can eliminate unnecessary charges without impacting other access methods.

## Relevant Billing Model

- SFTP support on Azure Storage Accounts is billed at a  flat hourly rate , regardless of actual usage

- Pricing is approximately  $0.30/hour per account  (\\~$219/month)

- Charges begin as soon as SFTP is enabled and continue until explicitly disabled

- No data transfer or connection usage is required for the fee to apply

## Detection

- Identify Storage Accounts with the SFTP feature enabled

- Check activity logs or metrics to determine whether SFTP sessions are active or recent

- Verify with application owners whether SFTP is still in use or required

- Flag accounts with enabled SFTP and no recent activity as candidates for review

## Remediation

- Disable the SFTP feature on any Storage Account where it is no longer needed

- Coordinate with owners to confirm that alternate access methods (e.g., HTTPS, SDK) are sufficient

- Consider including SFTP enablement in governance reviews to catch idle services before they accumulate charges

## Relevant Documentation

- [Enable SFTP support for Azure Blob Storage](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/blobs/secure-file-transfer-protocol-support)

- [Azure Storage Pricing - SFTP](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/storage/blobs/)

[Submit Feedback](https://hub.pointfive.co/inefficiencies/sftp-feature-enabled-on-azure-storage-account-without-usage)

## At a glance

Reference

CER-0149

Cloud provider

Azure

Service

Azure Storage Account

Category

[Storage](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/storage)

Inefficiency type

Inefficient Configuration

## Contributed by

- Balazs Engedi 

### Balazs Engedi

FinOps Specialist @ KPN

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/engedib/)

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