# 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 Azure users may enable the SFTP feature on Storage Accounts during migration tests, integration scenarios, or experimentation. By: Balazs Engedi [Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) # SFTP Feature Enabled on Azure Storage Account Without Usage The short version Azure users may enable the SFTP feature on Storage Accounts during migration tests, integration scenarios, or experimentation. [Balazs Engedi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/engedib/) FinOps Specialist @ KPN Azure service [Azure Storage Account](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/azure-storage-account) Category [Storage](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/storage) Reference CER-0149 Type Inefficient Configuration ## Explanation Why the waste happens and who it affects. 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. ## Billing model The pricing dimensions that drive this cost. - 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 ## How to detect 4 checks to find it in your estate. - 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 ## How to fix 3 ways to remove the waste. - 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 ## Documentation Vendor references for pricing and configuration. - [Enable SFTP support for Azure Blob Storage learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/blobs/secure-file-transfer-protocol-support) - [Azure Storage Pricing - SFTP azure.microsoft.com](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/storage/blobs/) ## Related inefficiencies [Browse the library](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) - Azure Storage Account CER-0430 ### [Unnecessary Geo-Redundant Replication on Storage Accounts](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/unnecessary-geo-redundant-replication-on-storage-accounts) Every Azure storage account has a redundancy setting that determines how many copies of the data are kept and where. Geo-redundant options (GRS, RA-GRS, GZRS and RA-GZRS) replicate the account to a secondary region, so capacity is priced... Storage - Azure Files CER-0173 ### [High Transaction Cost Due to Misaligned Tier in Azure Files](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/high-transaction-cost-due-to-misaligned-tier-in-azure-files) Azure Files Standard tier is cost-effective for low-traffic scenarios but imposes per-operation charges that grow rapidly with frequent access. In contrast, Premium tier provides consistent IOPS and throughput without additional... Storage - Azure Blob Storage CER-0172 ### [High Transaction Cost Due to Misaligned Tier in Azure Blob Storage](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/high-transaction-cost-due-to-misaligned-tier-in-azure-blob-storage) Azure Blob Storage tiers are designed to optimize cost based on access frequency. However, when frequently accessed data is stored in the Cool or Cold tiers - either due to misconfiguration, default settings, or cost-only optimization -... Storage --- Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.