In today’s climate of escalating cyber threats—ransomware, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and supply-chain attacks—accounts payable (AP) departments are increasingly targeted. According to PYMNTS, 91% of mid-sized firms plan to expand AP automation specifically to combat fraud, with two-thirds already automating payment disbursements to “reduce human error and enhance fraud detection”. Legacy processes, especially check-based systems, remain vulnerable: 65% of companies reported check fraud, nearly double ACH-related losses.
From business email compromise (BEC) scams to invoice fraud and data breaches, finance departments face mounting threats that can disrupt operations and compromise vendor trust. AP automation plays a central role in not only improving efficiency but also strengthening cybersecurity controls. When properly implemented, automated AP systems act as a digital shield—reducing exposure to risk and giving organizations real-time visibility into suspicious activity.
Why financial data is a prime target for cybercriminals
Accounts payable systems are packed with valuable, sensitive information. Vendor banking details, invoice records, and financial authorizations all pass through AP—making it a goldmine for attackers.
Cybercrime today isn’t about casting a wide net; it’s about precision targeting. Finance teams are now up against deepfake audio, executive impersonation, spoofed domains, and manipulated invoices. These attacks are engineered to look legitimate and bypass traditional defences. A single compromised payment or leaked login can lead to financial losses, legal exposure, and long-term damage to vendor relationships.
How does AP automation boost cybersecurity from day one?
Modern accounts payable software solutions embed cybersecurity into every stage of the process—from invoice intake to payment release. These platforms replace fragmented manual tasks with secure digital workflows that reduce errors, standardize processes, and flag anything unusual.
Instead of relying on memory or scattered approvals, finance automation builds consistent, protected workflows. It enforces rules, tracks every action, and provides real-time transparency.
Here’s how it strengthens your defences:
- Minimizes manual errors by standardizing invoice processing
- Detects suspicious activity instantly using AI and machine learning
- Protects vendor data with role-based access controls and MFA
- Builds detailed audit trails for every invoice and payment step
What types of cyber threats put AP teams at risk?
While each organization faces different challenges, most AP departments encounter the same core threats when manual systems are still in play.
Business email compromise is one of the most dangerous. Cybercriminals impersonate executives or vendors, convincing staff to send money to fraudulent accounts. It often looks like a legitimate request—right up until the funds are gone.
Invoice fraud is another major concern. Attackers submit invoices that appear to be from approved suppliers, hoping to slip past overworked teams. If there’s no automated match to a purchase order or receipt, these fake charges can go unnoticed.
Account takeovers happen when attackers gain access to AP platforms through stolen credentials. With direct access, they can change payment details or reroute funds without triggering any manual reviews.
Data breaches remain a significant risk. With so much personal and financial data moving through AP, these systems can become entry points for broader attacks—especially if access controls are weak.
What features make AP automation a strong security asset?
Automated invoice platforms deliver security not just through prevention but also through accountability. Every transaction is tracked, and every user action is logged. This creates full transparency and rapid response capability.
Authentication controls are a key starting point. Strong platforms use multi-factor authentication and limit user access based on roles. This ensures that only the right people can approve or release payments.
Digital audit trails provide another layer of confidence. Each invoice upload, coding step, approval, and payment is recorded in real time—making it easy to spot inconsistencies and support compliance audits.
To support secure invoice handling, leading tools also include:
- Real-time anomaly detection for unusual payment behaviour
- Vendor validation against trusted databases
- Enforced separation of duties for approvals and disbursements
- Continuous learning to improve fraud detection over time
Why should CFOs lead the charge on finance cybersecurity?
Finance is no longer just responsible for protecting cash flow—it’s now expected to protect the organization from digital risk. With the majority of financial fraud starting in or around AP, CFOs are in a position of both risk and opportunity.
New data privacy laws and financial regulations—such as GDPR, CCPA, and SOX—are raising the stakes. These regulations hold senior leadership accountable for breaches and demand that finance teams can prove internal controls are in place.
Boards and auditors are also paying closer attention. They expect finance leaders to show how risks are being mitigated and what systems are in place to detect fraud. Integrated software delivers exactly that—real-time data, complete audit trails, and verifiable workflows.
For modern CFOs, adopting secure accounts payable platforms isn’t just about efficiency—it’s a reputational and compliance safeguard.
What does the future of cybersecurity in AP look like?
As cyber threats continue to grow in speed and sophistication, AP systems are evolving to meet the challenge. The future is proactive, not reactive.
AI-powered solutions will increasingly anticipate fraud risks before they occur—adapting in real time based on new behaviours or anomalies across your vendor ecosystem. They’ll recommend actions, offer predictive insights, and become a core part of how finance teams manage operational risk.
Instead of just cutting costs or speeding up invoice cycles, tomorrow’s digital finance tools will act as an intelligent layer of defence, safeguarding the most sensitive financial operations in your business.
How does SoftCo help organizations stay secure?
SoftCo offers secure technology designed with today’s cyber threats in mind. From AI-driven fraud detection to real-time vendor validation and full integration with your existing ERP, our platform gives finance teams the confidence to process payments securely and efficiently.
Just ask Chanelle Pharma or the Finnish Government. After struggling with manual processes, both organizations now operate with full visibility and control, handling hundreds of thousands of invoices with minimal risk and maximum compliance
Ready to protect your AP process from fraud?
The best time to secure your finance workflows was yesterday. The next best time is now. With SoftCo, you can build a finance function that’s faster, smarter, and safer.
Let’s show you how secure automation looks in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because it holds sensitive data like vendor banking details and authorizations—making it a prime target for scams and fraud.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC)
• Fake invoices
• Stolen credentials and account takeovers
It detects red flags instantly, limits who can access or approve payments, and logs every action for full visibility.
Most financial fraud starts in AP. CFOs are now accountable for digital risk, regulatory compliance, and vendor trust.
AI-powered fraud detection, real-time vendor checks, ERP integration, and trusted by organizations like Chanelle Pharma and the Finnish Government.
