Why IT security is critical when selecting an AP automation vendor
Choosing an AP automation vendor isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about security. Financial data is a prime target for cyber threats, and weak security controls in AP automation can expose businesses to fraud, compliance violations, and data breaches.
Yet, many AP solutions lack robust security frameworks. Without proper vetting, companies risk selecting vendors that fail to meet enterprise security standards, putting sensitive financial data at risk.
A well-structured IT security questionnaire ensures that your organization selects an AP solution that safeguards financial data, enforces compliance, and minimizes security risks.
What to ask in your IT security questionnaire
A strong IT security questionnaire should focus on the key security factors that determine whether an AP solution is safe and compliant. Here are the critical areas to cover:
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SOC 2 Type II compliance – Does the vendor provide continuous security monitoring and independent audit verification?
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Data encryption
– How does the vendor protect financial data at rest and in transit? Do they use AES-256 and SHA-256 encryption? -
Access control & authentication
– Does the vendor enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access to prevent unauthorized access? -
Security incident response – What processes are in place to detect and respond to security incidents or breaches?
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Disaster recovery & business continuity – Does the vendor have a tested disaster recovery plan to ensure financial data protection?
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Data retention & deletion policies
– How long is customer data stored, and are there self-service data deletion options for compliance? -
Third-party risk management
– Does the vendor use subcontractors, and how do they ensure security compliance across third parties?
These security questions will help organizations evaluate vendors and avoid solutions that introduce unnecessary risks.
How to ensure your IT security questions get answered
Not all vendors will be transparent about their security posture. To ensure you get the information you need:
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Request live compliance monitoring
– Ask for real-time SOC 2 Type II reports and security dashboards. -
Demand clear encryption and access policies
– Ensure the vendor documents encryption, MFA, and access control policies. -
Assess security autonomy
– Determine if the vendor requires ongoing IT intervention for security patches, user access, or compliance tracking. -
Look for proactive risk management
– A vendor should provide continuous security updates and automated threat detection.
Taking these steps will help IT teams validate an AP vendor’s security and prevent long-term vulnerabilities.
Why IT security in AP automation matters more than ever
Many AP vendors claim to have strong security but still rely on outdated automation methods, creating security gaps that leave financial data exposed. A truly secure AP solution should:
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Ensure continuous security monitoring
– Not just annual audits, but real-time security tracking. -
Provide multi-layered encryption
– Financial data must be encrypted at all times. -
Eliminate security dependence on IT teams
– Security controls should be built-in and automated, not requiring ongoing IT involvement.
Without these capabilities, IT teams will spend more time managing risks and responding to security incidents instead of focusing on strategic initiatives.
How OpenEnvoy meets IT security requirements for AP automation
The IT security questionnaire ensures organizations evaluate vendors based on their ability to protect financial data. OpenEnvoy meets and exceeds security standards with:
✅ Real-time SOC 2 Type II compliance tracking – Live security monitoring via Drata dashboards.
✅ End-to-end encryption – AES-256 for data at rest, SHA-256 for transit, and secure AWS cloud infrastructure.
✅ Zero-trust access control – Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based permissions to prevent unauthorized access.
✅ Automated security incident response – Built-in breach detection, disaster recovery, and compliance tracking.
✅ User-managed data retention & deletion – Customers can self-service delete data while maintaining full audit trails.
By choosing OpenEnvoy, IT teams eliminate the security concerns associated with outdated AP solutions that require manual intervention, weak compliance tracking, or data security gaps.
Get your free IT security questionnaire
To help IT and finance teams evaluate AP vendors, we’re offering a free IT Security Questionnaire, which includes:
📃 Customizable IT Security Questionnaire – Ensure AP vendors meet critical security and compliance standards.
📃 Sample Vendor Responses – Learn what best-in-class security answers look like.
Why Download It?
✅ Avoid security gaps – Ensure vendors meet SOC 2, encryption, and access control requirements.
✅ Reduce IT risk – Identify vulnerabilities before they become security threats.
✅ Choose a secure AP solution – Confidently select a vendor that protects financial data.
[Download the IT Security Questionnaire Now]