QR Code in Authentication Services: A Safe and Secure Verification Process

In the third quarter of 2022, there were almost 15 million data breaches globally. No matter the steps you take or the firewalls you build, some bad actor will find a way to exploit your resources and gain unapproved access to your sensitive and confidential data.

Data breaches are becoming a serious concern for businesses, especially with the legal regulations and laws concerning consumer data privacy becoming stricter and imposing a heavy fine on violators—conscious or otherwise.

So what can businesses do to protect both internal and external data—data companies collect from other businesses and their consumers?

They can rely on QR code verification solutions.

What are QR Code Verification Solutions?

QR code verification solutions use QR code printed on badges as contactless cards. They are a type of phone-as-a-token—an authentication system that uses a user’s mobile phone as a token in place of a hardware token to authenticate their identity—verification solutions to help identify a user.

QR code verification solutions help businesses integrate multi-factor authentication with their existing system so that they can authenticate all their users through the generated QR code-based OTP (one time password). The OTP is usually time bound and is always unique so that all users visiting a specific page or availing of a service will have to generate a new OTP each time.

Additionally, you can use QR code verification solutions for securing documents with QR code.

This looks good on paper but what are their advantages and disadvantages and, more importantly, are there any practical uses of QR code verification solutions?

QR Code Verification Solutions: Pros and Cons

QR code verification solutions come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at the prominent ones here:

Pros

●?????Multifaceted: QR codes are versatile by nature. They can be used by businesses spanning industries, niches, and geographies. QR code verification solutions can help you develop a unique QR code to embed your website link, contact information, marketing material, payment links, and more. The options are truly endless.

●?????Time-effective: QR codes can be scanned from any direction and it takes nano seconds (might take more if your network connection is spotty) for the code to get scanned. QR code verification solutions take advantage of this to develop a new QR code and take you to the desired page.

●?????Less friction: QR code verification solutions eliminate friction and give users an option to use various products and services without having to enter their username and password everytime. This makes the whole process hassle-free and improves user experience (UX).

●?????Anytime, from anywhere: QR codes can be easily scanned at all hours from anywhere. So QR code verification solutions give users the option to avail of the products or services or just visit the dedicated page at their convenience.

Cons

●?????Limited appeal: Although QR codes are extremely simple to use, their popularity is limited among individuals who are not tech-savvy or who don’t adapt to new technology very easily. This makes it impossible for QR code verification solutions to work their magic.

●?????Connectivity issues: It might be extremely challenging to take advantage of QR code verification solutions in places and establishments where the network and connectivity aren’t too strong.

●?????Device limitations: QR code verification solutions can only work on devices with good cameras. Devices without a camera lens to scan the QR code makes it inaccessible to individuals who are without a good camera device.

How can QR Code Verification Solutions Help Prevent Data Breaches?

QR codes have a wide range of applications since they are value-adding and can be used by all businesses, irrespective of their size and the industry they’re operating in. Some of the common use cases of QR code verification solutions are as follows:

1.???Educational Institutions

Educational institutions face challenges when it comes to issuing and securing eCertificates. Moreover, this industry suffers from data breach, duplication, and forgery.

This makes it extremely difficult for them to discern the difference between real and fake eCertificates and even if they can recognize the difference, it’s usually a time-consuming endeavor.

QR code verification solutions can step in and take a load off educational institutions’ shoulders so that they can focus on imparting knowledge and developing a brighter future for the world.

Wondering how?

Well, unique QR codes can be generated and added to each certificate an institution creates. Through a simple QR code certificate verification, they can verify all the details related to a particular certificate on their own website or system.

Not only this, the individual you’d be issuing the certificate to can easily check out all details pertaining to their certificate on your website seamlessly.

2.???Healthcare Institutions

Healthcare institutions are in charge of a lot of confidential and sensitive data.

Bad actors can capitalize on this and if they get their hands on this data, they can easily sell it on the black market for a quick buck. Moreover, forgery and duplication of data is another concern. Also, if any malicious attacker alters patient files, it could lead to a life and death situation.

So it’s imperative for healthcare institutions, even a small clinic, to keep this data safe.

QR code verification solutions can help all types of healthcare institutions keep their data safe by giving access only to authorized individuals. They also make it easier to share confidential patient data across geographies without fear of data getting altered in transit or an unauthorized individual getting their hands on them.

3.???Travel and Hospitality industry

QR codes aren’t just for conventional businesses or industries. They are vital to the travel and hospitality industry as well.

QR code verification solutions can help the travel and hospitality industry provide a safe experience to all parties involved. For instance, a traveler can confirm their booking with the hotel with a quick scan of the QR code sent to their emails when they booked the place online.

This ensures that the actual individual who paid and booked the room got access to it and not someone pretending to be that individual. It also makes for faster check-ins.

Additionally, consumers can scan QR codes to peruse the menu of a restaurant, cafe, or bistro. This was especially helpful during the pandemic when no one wanted to touch foreign objects which would be rotated among hundreds of other consumers. QR codes felicitated contactless dining during the pandemic.

Travelers can also experience attractions and popular sites by quickly scanning the dedicated QR codes. This could help them discover more about the place, its culture and history.

Moreover, passengers can authenticate their boarding pass themselves after scanning it at the security check-ins at major airports.

4.???Government organizations

Government organizations around the world are inundated with paperwork. Consequently, this paperwork is not meaningless or mundane. It carries weight, keeps records of sensitive data, and might even have state secrets on them.

Needless to say what would happen if such important documents fell into the wrong hands. This is where QR codes come in.

Through QR code verification solutions, government organizations?can secure the document, manage who has access to confidential data and why, and provide instant access to authorized individuals without them having to spend a lot of time sifting through files offline or online.

Government agencies in some parts of the world have begun using QR codes to introduce digital voter ID cards, verify official documents of citizens and foreigners alike, and offer easy and safe access to government websites to authenticated individuals.

5. Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management (SCM) is not limited to one industry. It’s vital, in one form or the other, for all industries and organizations.

But transparency and lack of data security plagues the industry. QR code verification solutions can tackle this problem with ease and make the whole SCM process painless by giving immediate access to approved and authorized individuals.

This helps keep everyone in the loop without fear of tampering involved taking over and also helps reduce time and communication lags from the whole process.

QR Codes Can Be Adopted by All Businesses for a Secure Authentication Process

QR codes are the future and can be adopted by any organization to secure its documents and processes while making the whole operation seamless.

But security is a big concern for QR code verification solutions too. That’s how ProofEasy came up with a distinct concept, offering its users the security of blockchain and the ease of QR codes.

ProofEasy uses patented blockchain and QR code technology to make all your documents smooth and truly immutable. All you need to do is upload your document, place the unique QR code anywhere on the document, and share it privately with someone (if you’d like to) while securing the document.

Voila! Securing documents with QR code using ProofEasy is that easy. Try out ProofEasy’s free trial today to make your life infinitely easier.