Tips to prevent 'quishing' and protect patient data

QR codes designed to improve data transfer can entice healthcare data breaches. Sharat Potharaju of Beaconstac shares advice on how to safely bolster data security while providing patients the ease of mobile access. Protected health data may be exposed through QR codes that are intended to simplify processes like picture file transfers because mobile devices are typically security weak points for organisations. A fake QR code that takes people to a comparable website where patient and personal data can be captured can be used to replace a real QR code by skilled cybercriminals. Additionally, they can "quish" embed counterfeit QR codes into emails that appear to be legitimate by using email. Sharat Potharaju, co-founder and CEO of Beaconstac, a company that provides a platform for QR codes, was contacted by Healthcare IT News to comment on why matrix barcodes are attractive to cybercriminals and how healthcare organisations may prevent patient data from being stolen in a QR code exploit.