Check printing controls

dfs can support check printing as a controlled, audited manufacturing process where the customer remains the custodian of record and final authority over issuance, approval, and bank instructions we align our production workflow to the customer’s treasury controls, bank requirements, and internal policies (including any required pre approvals, authorized signers, and sequence rules), then execute to those controls with documented chain of custody, reconciliation, and exception handling where check work differs from standard transactional print is that we treat three items as “high risk assets” and control them accordingly (1) blank check stock, (2) check sequence and micr content, and (3) signature assets (whether wet signature, digitized signature, or signature block logic) below is how we safeguard each area, and how we typically recommend customers reduce fraud exposure (including positive pay) for guidance on implentations, please see our list of docid\ l9xiazhzkdmdsdazqeczm how we secure blank check stock (blank until printed) meet the requirement secure storage (restricted access) blank check stock is stored in controlled access areas with role based access, physical access logging, and camera coverage appropriate for secure production environments inventory control and reconciliation stock is received, counted, logged, and tracked by lot job level issues are recorded and reconciled to expected usage, including spoilage, reprints, and voids controlled movement stock movement from storage to production is performed under documented process controls so chain of custody is maintained from receipt through destruction of waste exceed the requirement (when the customer desires it) dual control handling for high risk runs two person verification for stock pulls, returns, and end of run reconciliations segregated “caged” storage and tighter pick windows stock only staged immediately prior to production to reduce exposure time customer specific stock isolation dedicated locations, unique labeling, and job gating so one customer’s check stock never commingles operationally with another’s check sequence control, micr, and security features meet the requirement sequence governance we print checks under explicit sequence rules provided by the customer (start, end, gaps, void rules) we reconcile “printed” vs “expected” and produce exception reporting for any breaks in sequence (for example, spoilage or reprints) micr line integrity micr data (routing, account, check number) is produced from the customer approved source file and controlled through our job setup, proofing, and run time validation steps security features we support common check security features (for example microprint, warning bands, pantograph backgrounds, toner adhesion features, and other deterrents) based on the customer’s check design standards and bank acceptability exceed the requirement (when the customer desires it) enhanced file to print validation automated checks for duplicate check numbers, out of range sequences, payee field presence, and threshold rules (for example, additional review for checks over a customer set amount) tighter exception workflows predefined decision trees for voids, reprints, and stop/reissue scenarios so the customer receives consistent reporting back to treasury and ap signature security (the most sensitive element) meet the requirement signature assets are treated as restricted data signature images or signature authorization rules are stored and handled under least privilege access, with strong authentication, audit logging, and encrypted storage separation of duties access to signature assets is limited to a minimal set of authorized personnel and systems, and separated from general production access wherever practical controlled use signatures are applied only for the specific job and records authorized by the customer’s rules (for example, signer matrix, dollar thresholds, or “no signature” rules for certain payment types) exceed the requirement (when the customer desires it) customer managed signatures we can structure the workflow so the customer retains primary control of signature release logic (for example, job based authorization, threshold based signer logic, or release approvals before print) additional hardening and audit artifacts expanded logging and review checkpoints for signature usage, including periodic access reviews aligned to the customer’s governance cadence positive pay recommendation (fraud reduction) dfs strongly recommends positive pay as the standard control for live check issuance in a typical workflow, the check is not considered “live” until the customer (or their treasury team) transmits the issued check file to their bank (check number, amount, and payee) the bank then matches presented items against the positive pay register and only honors items that match the customer’s authorized list this materially reduces fraud risk even if a physical check is altered or counterfeited, because the bank decisioning is driven by the customer’s issued check data security and audit posture dfs maintains a control environment aligned to enterprise expectations for sensitive data handling, including soc 2 type ii and nist csf certification we can map the check print workflow controls above into the customer’s required control framework (access control, logging, change management, incident response, and vendor governance) so the customer can document how production aligns to their treasury and risk requirements docid\ l9xiazhzkdmdsdazqeczm