secure transfers and authentication

[mgk.mailing () googlemail com]

Hi List

I was wondering if anyone had run across anything that would help with my current project.   I am looking to automate 
transfers over an insecure network where both the client and server are authenticated to each other.  My current line 
of thinking is using ssl signed certificates from our Certificate authority to do the authentication and then https to 
transfer the data.  Putting aside that http may not be the best transfer mechanism for data can anyone make any 
suggestions or point out any potential pitfalls that maybe there?  It is vital that the transfer is protected and that 
the client and server is authenticated.
Thanks

mgk