--- title: Cross border payments - improve security reduce risk url: https://www.medius.com/blog/cross-border-payments-how-to-improve-security-and-reduce-risk/ updated: 2025-08-28T22:54:13Z --- [Back to Blog](https://www.medius.com/blog/) Accounts Payable 1.4.2022 # Cross border payments - improve security reduce risk Over the past decade, online communication quickly fueled a global marketplace and economy, increasing the number of cross-border payments. Working in the cloud and making [global payments](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/ "Medius Payments") became the new normal since the increased need and popularity of remote work. Business leaders continue to be rightfully concerned about improving security and reducing the risk associated with cross-border payments. Learn [how automation changes](https://www.medius.com/blog/abcs-of-automated-invoice-processing/ "ABC's of Automated Invoice Processing") the way companies make global payments and strengthen security to support the global-minded C-suite. ## What are the challenges with cross-border payments? Despite the inevitable increasing popularity of cross-border payments, challenges still exist in payment processing. The limited transparency, high costs, limited access, and low speed associated with global payments prove manual AP processes are inefficient and costly for organizations. The Financial Stability Board (FSB), an international coordinator for financial authorities and international standard-setting bodies, recently issued the report, [G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross Border Payments](https://www.fsb.org/wp-content/uploads/P131021-1.pdf "G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross Border Payments"), to make long-term improvements to cross-border payments. The roadmap sets quantitive targets at the global level for addressing typical challenges such as speed, transparency, cost, and access. Targets such as ensuring recipients receive the funds within one hour by the end of 2027 require commitment from the public and provide levels, along with upgrades of every organization’s payments infrastructure to cloud automation. Automation takes the typical complexity out of cross-border payments and offers greater transparency, reducing the risk of fraud and security breaches. Improving cross-border payment services support economic growth and global development, helping to increase profits for forward-minded companies. A robust [AP automation](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-accounts-payable-automation/ "Medius Accounts Payable Automation") and payments solution improves the domestic and international payment process. ## The pandemic and global payments The pandemic had an impact on cross-border payment flows and brought to light inefficiencies of the past. Companies dependent on manual processes scrambled to find automated solutions to support remote work during quarantining, especially for back-office operations such as accounts payable. Businesses that already partially or fully adopted AP automation and payment solutions were ahead of the curve. Companies quickly discovered the cost of business disruption and sought business continuity through cloud automation. For example, the AP team could work in real-time, from any device or location, to seamlessly pay invoices on time and maintain strong supplier relationships. Many companies recognized their strategic weaknesses in their current global supply chains. The [value-chain shifts](https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/accelerating-winds-of-change-in-global-payments "value-chain shifts") that began two years ago will fuel the need for automation to examine current supplier relationships and explore new ones in a global marketplace. With multiple currencies and regulatory protocols, [automated payment solutions](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/ "Medius Payments") take the complexity out of international payments. As a result, acts of fraud and security risks are quickly and easily identified before they become costly problems. ## Reinventing cross-border payments With a global economy and remote work challenges in mind, reinventing cross-border payments is crucial to remain profitable and productive. AP automation with payment automation provides a singular, simple process to pay international suppliers in multiple currencies. Unlike most other APA and payment automation solutions, [Medius Payments](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/ "Medius Payments") ensures cross-border payments are sent the same day with no wire fees, cutting costs and saving time. International payments are sent through a global network of local bank accounts with confirmed receipt of payment on the same day. With cloud AP automation, one interface is used to make domestic and cross-border payments in real-time. The AP team and C-suite have the latest financial updates at their fingertips, regardless of time or location. An electronic invoice-to-pay process removes time-consuming and costly manual steps and takes control of security, audits, and payment approvals. Getting rid of manual processes also eliminates costly human errors and security breaches that impact a company’s reputation and profit margin. ## Going beyond the back office One of the most significant benefits of adopting AP automation and payments solutions is reducing the administrative time spent recording invoices on multiple platforms and reconciling payments. The AP team emerges from the [back office](https://www.medius.com/blog/transforming-the-ap-department-from-back-office-to-top-consultants/ "Transforming the AP Department from Back-Office to Top Consultants") to become an integral part of the financial and management teams, negotiating discounts for early payments and examining supplier relationships' value. Maintaining security is crucial to avoid expensive losses of profits and reputation. Automated solutions provide real-time updates to stay ahead of security challenges as they arise. As cross-border payments become the wave of the future in a growing global marketplace, AP automation and payments solutions are a necessary investment. Combining AP automation with payment automation can generate significant savings through rebates and discounts, helping companies realize a fast ROI on their automation investment. #### The Financial Professional Census Explore hurdles facing finance professionals today and learn how to overcome them in our research-backed Financial Professional Census report. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/financial-professional-census-report-2024/ "Financial Professional Census Report 2024") #### Ardent Partners' State of AP in 2026 AI is changing what AP teams can do, and fast. Get leading analysts at Ardent Partners' take on where the industry is headed. 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[Watch now](https://www.medius.com/watch-a-demo/#recorded "Watch a demo") ## Related Posts [8.7.2026 AP Automation Why manufacturing invoice matching creates so many exceptions](https://www.medius.com/blog/why-manufacturing-invoice-matching-creates-so-many-exceptions/) [8.6.2026 AP Automation Why global expansion creates AP complexity faster than expected](https://www.medius.com/blog/why-global-expansion-creates-ap-complexity-faster-than-expected/) [8.6.2026 AP Automation How can manufacturers improve invoice matching and PO matching?](https://www.medius.com/blog/how-can-manufacturers-improve-invoice-matching-and-po-matching/) [8.6.2026 AP Automation What happens when invoice matching fails in manufacturing?](https://www.medius.com/blog/what-happens-when-invoice-matching-fails-in-manufacturing/) [8.4.2026 AP Automation Best AP automation software for automated invoice matching](https://www.medius.com/blog/best-ap-automation-software-for-automated-invoice-matching/) [8.4.2026 AP Automation Choosing the best AP automation software for complex approval workflows](https://www.medius.com/blog/choosing-the-best-ap-automation-software-for-complex-approval-workflows/) Previous Next [View All Posts](https://www.medius.com/blog/) ## Ready to transform your AP? 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