UX Strategies for Stronger EIPP Security and Compliance Measures
In B2B payments, the stakes are high. Businesses handle large transaction volumes, sensitive financial data, and must comply with complex regulatory requirements. That’s where Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) systems come into play, offering a way to streamline the invoicing process. But it’s not just about making things easier. EIPP systems must be both secure and compliant, or they become liabilities instead of assets.
Now, here’s the part that often gets overlooked: user experience (UX) plays a huge role in achieving both security and compliance. It’s not enough to simply slap on security features or ensure your system is compliant with regulations.
The key is to seamlessly integrate these elements into the user journey—because if users struggle with security protocols or compliance checks, they’ll either stop using your system or find ways to bypass the safeguards, which defeats the purpose entirely.
Let’s dive into practical UX strategies that make your EIPP system not only secure and compliant but also intuitive and easy to use.
These tips will ensure that the user experience in B2B payments directly supports both security and compliance without adding unnecessary friction.
UX Strategies for Strengthening Security in EIPP Systems
1. Simplify Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective ways to secure an EIPP system. But too often, it’s implemented in a way that makes the user experience frustrating. The goal here is to make MFA robust without slowing users down.
UX Tip: Implement MFA with a mobile-first approach. Users are far more likely to have their smartphones handy than physical tokens or USB keys.
Offering options like push notifications or biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint or face recognition) can simplify the process.
Allow users to set preferences for how they complete MFA, whether it’s through a mobile app, email, or SMS.
Giving them control over how they authenticate increases compliance without sacrificing security.
2. Make Password Requirements Manageable
Password complexity is essential, but overly complicated rules often result in poor user behavior—like writing passwords down or using the same password across multiple accounts. The UX challenge here is to balance security with usability.
UX Tip: Introduce password management integrations, like offering seamless connections to trusted password managers.
This allows users to securely store their credentials without needing to remember complex passwords, enhancing both security and the user experience.
3. Incorporate Real-Time Alerts for Suspicious Activity
Users should feel protected without feeling constantly interrupted. Real-time alerts for suspicious activity are crucial, but if they pop up too frequently or are too vague, they become annoying rather than helpful.
UX Tip: Design alerts that are specific, actionable, and unobtrusive. For instance, instead of a generic “Suspicious activity detected” message, provide details such as, “Login attempt from an unrecognized device. Was this you?”
Make these alerts easy to dismiss or investigate within the EIPP system. If a user needs to verify an activity, guide them through the process in a few simple steps, and provide feedback when the issue is resolved.
4. Encrypt Data, but Keep Users in the Loop
Encryption is essential to protect sensitive data, but it often happens behind the scenes, leaving users unaware of what’s happening to their data. A well-informed user is a more confident one.
UX Tip: Add subtle indicators that reassure users their data is encrypted, without being intrusive. This could be something as simple as a lock icon near sensitive fields or a brief message that says, “Your data is encrypted for security.”
Provide educational tooltips or notifications when users are handling especially sensitive data, such as banking information or personal identifiers.
A short, clear message about how their data is protected builds trust without overwhelming them with technical jargon.
UX Strategies for Ensuring Compliance in EIPP Systems
1. Embed Compliance Into Onboarding
When users first start using an EIPP system, they need to understand what’s required from a compliance standpoint—whether that’s adhering to GDPR, PCI-DSS, or any other regulation. But compliance guidelines can feel overwhelming if presented in a heavy-handed way.
UX Tip: During the onboarding process, break down compliance requirements into digestible, easy-to-understand steps.
For example, instead of presenting a long list of terms and conditions, highlight the key actions users must take to remain compliant.
Use progressive disclosure—only reveal detailed compliance information when it’s needed.
For instance, if a user is handling European customer data, that’s when you show GDPR-related guidelines, rather than bombarding them with regulations that don’t apply to their region or use case.
2. Make Compliance Actions Part of the Workflow
For compliance to be effective, users need to follow the correct procedures without feeling like they’re jumping through hoops. The best way to do this is by weaving compliance checks into the natural flow of the user’s tasks.
UX Tip: Build compliance checkpoints into everyday actions. For example, if a user is about to send an invoice that contains sensitive information, provide a quick pop-up reminder about data protection protocols.
Make it as easy as possible for users to comply without disrupting their workflow.
Automate compliance tasks where possible. For instance, auto-encrypt sensitive fields, or set up automated reminders for periodic reviews of account data to ensure ongoing compliance.
Automation reduces the burden on users and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
3. Provide Clear Audit Trails
One of the cornerstones of compliance is being able to track and prove that proper procedures were followed. But for users, navigating an audit trail shouldn’t feel like sifting through a confusing tangle of logs.
UX Tip: Design the audit trail so that it’s easy to access, read, and understand. For instance, offer a simple timeline view of key actions taken on an invoice or payment, showing who accessed the data, what changes were made, and when.
Users can filter audit trails by specific criteria, like date, action type, or user. This empowers them to find the information they need quickly during audits, without having to scroll through endless records.
4. Keep Users Updated on Regulatory Changes
Regulations in B2B payments, like GDPR or PCI-DSS, are constantly evolving. Keeping users informed of changes without overwhelming them is a key UX challenge.
UX Tip: Use microcopy or in-app notifications to inform users about regulatory changes that affect their specific tasks. Avoid bombarding them with lengthy legal text—provide short, actionable advice on how they can stay compliant.
Provide a compliance dashboard that highlights any upcoming changes or deadlines.
For example, if a new PCI-DSS requirement is going into effect in three months, remind users of the steps they need to take well in advance, but do it within the context of the tasks they are already performing.
Takeaways for Payment Leaders
- Simplify MFA and Password Policies
Implement multi-factor authentication that is both secure and user-friendly.
Offer flexible authentication methods like mobile app push notifications or biometrics, and integrate password management tools to reduce the cognitive load on users. - Make Compliance Invisible, Yet Effective
Embed compliance measures into the natural flow of the user’s work.
Use progressive disclosure to only show necessary information, and automate compliance tasks where possible to reduce friction. - Enhance Trust with Real-Time, Clear Communication
Notify users of suspicious activity or security measures in a clear, concise manner.
Provide reassurance that data is encrypted and protected, but avoid overloading users with too many notifications. - Create Easy Access to Audit Trails
Build intuitive audit trails that users can easily filter and search.
This reduces frustration during audits and proves that your system is compliant without requiring hours of manual work. - Educate Users Without Overwhelming Them
Keep users informed of regulatory changes in a digestible, actionable format.
Leverage dashboards and microcopy to provide ongoing updates without overwhelming them with excessive legalese.
In B2B payments, a secure and compliant EIPP system is critical to success. But it’s not just about adding features—it’s about crafting a user experience that guides users through security protocols and compliance measures without slowing them down.
At WDIR, we work with financial institutions and fintechs globally to create secure, user-friendly payment platforms that B2B buyers love. Consider partnering up with us to improve your B2B payment UX to reduce churn and increase CLV.