Windows remote file transfer options

Hi All

I have a remote Windows VPS that I have access to that I want to transfer
data from in order to update a local database. The data is currently in an
access database, but SQL Server Express could easily be substituted.

I have access to the server via Remote Desktop but the Server is not
actually part of my network and my local machine does not have a fixed
address (although it could).

The transfer process has to operate on a scheduled and unattended basis
(i.e. I don't want to log in to run something), I know I can do it with FTP
and some scripting on the client and server ends but I wondered if there was
a better way. If I can I'll script this stuff in perl but that's mostly a
preference.

Apart from FTP, what are the cheap, free and secure options to allow me to
pickup data from this server (yeah I know I'm asking a lot). I've considered
things like SSH, SFTP, SCP, and even database replication but was wondering
what options people had explored in the past that might save me some pain.
Maybe there's even some funky Windows things that will do it

I'm pretty much open to any suggestions as to what the options are as I'm
just as much curious about how it can be done as anything.

Regards
Evan Harris