Outsourcing your check printing and mailing operations can go a long way toward improving the efficiency of your company’s back-end operations. By partnering with a reliable check printing and mailing company, you essentially ensure that you never need to bother writing a check by hand again. However, before bringing on another company to support your business with sending payments, it’s a good idea to review the check printing security features they offer.
SmartPayables gives businesses the chance to make sending checks, printing documents, and setting up ACH direct deposits more manageable than ever. Our team offers check printing software, customized API integrations, and scalable outsourcing services that ensure your payment always reaches the payee without issue. Reduce the risks of sending checks in the mail with the support of the professionals at SmartPayables today.
The best check printing security features for your business minimize the risks of sending a payment through the mail with specialized printing methods, envelopes, and software options. While it might seem like checks aren’t always the most secure option for sending a business payment, there are still plenty of opportunities for keeping your data safe. Here are just a few security features you should look for before hiring a new outsourced check printing service.
Check Stock Security
Whether you’re sending a bulk dispatch of reimbursements or making a regularly scheduled payment to a third-party vendor, it’s essential to have high-security check stock. Controlled paper with fourdrinier watermarks, copy void pantograph, and a chemical wash detection box is a solid foundation for the security of your payments and prevents check washing and other forms of fraud.
Microprinting, inventory control numbers, and toner anchorage are also important, as are laid lines, warning bands, and payee area protection. Visible or fluorescent fibers can be equally effective in supporting the security of your information. While it’s not particularly likely that there will be a security concern with professional mailing services at your side, it’s always best to be prepared. Learn more about the check security features offered with our services.
Check Stock Branding
Branded checks that feature your business’s logo and essential contact information give your business payments a more professional appearance. While this isn’t necessarily a feature that supports the security of your data, it’s certainly something you should look for in an outsourced check printing and mailing service provider.
Overnight and 2 Day Printing
The less time your checks spend in the mail, the more secure your payment information will be. For this reason, you should always look for businesses that offer overnight and 2-day printing, using reliable companies such as FedEx and UPS. When the business sends your checks through the mail, it should also utilize envelopes with printing lining to prevent the information from becoming readable from outside the mailer when held up to light directly.
Security and Compliance Certifications
Outsourced check printing and mailing services will consistently handle your payment data, so it’s important to make sure you partner with a certified company to keep your information safe. If you’re not sure what the provider company’s security certifications are, you can always reach out and ask.
SOC Type 1 & SOC Type 2
The AICPA, or American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, audits companies on an annual basis to ensure they are in compliance with the organization’s systems and organizations controls policy. Because your outsourcing company will be handling payment information, it’s essential that they possess both forms of this certification.
PCI Compliance
The PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, also measures the ability of a company to handle transactions securely. While many check printing and mailing companies, including SmartPayables, do not handle credit card transactions, they may still have this certification on hand, which can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is safe.
HIPAA Certified
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires businesses and medical services providers to protect the security of patient information and avoid disclosure of their data without their express consent. If your business operates within this industry and needs to mail payment information, invoices, or statements, HIPAA certification is probably something you’ll want to ask about before onboarding begins.
Secure API Integrations
API connections between your corporate software and the outsourcing company’s systems ensure that you never have to download or learn any new programs to make printing and mailing requests. With a check printing API to assist in making your business payments more efficient, your data security is practically guaranteed. Sandbox testing options are also an option if you’d like to test an automated payment before sending it.
Disaster Recovery Plans
Disaster recovery plans support the security of your data In the event that there are any concerns surrounding the security of the outsourcing company’s physical servers. While this is an extremely unlikely situation, it’s always best to be prepared. Generators and state-of-the-art security features should get everything back up and running as soon as possible so that none of your company’s data is compromised.
Conclusion- Essential Outsourced Check Printing Security Features for Your Business
Data security can quickly become a concern for your accounts payable department if you’re not prepared. By partnering with a reliable outsourced check printing and mailing company, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your payment information is safe. These services also allow you to save both time and money when it comes to managing the logistical aspects of your business.
Never have to send check payments manually again. Whether you’re sending a bulk dispatch of a thousand payments or settling up a recurring transaction with a vendor, SmartPayables is here to ensure that your check payments are on-time, professional, and secure. Our check stock printing practices, security and compliance certifications, and customized API integrations are here to keep your data safe.
Founded in 2005, Smart Payables offers a full range of accounts payable payment solutions including outsourced check printing and mailing, document and statement printing and mailing, ACH direct deposits + more. Our highly experienced software developers and intelligent printing teams specialize in secure, enterprise-grade payment options that are HIPAA, SOC 1 Type 2, and ISO compliant. Our mission is to help businesses and large organizations implement secure, innovative technology that will reduce overhead and improve business operations and capabilities.