Near-field Communication (NFC) business cards have quickly risen in popularity. While they may be efficient, there are several disadvantages to NFC business cards (including the obvious detriment to the environment). A rising concern is the security risk, and this liability is one that businesses can’t afford to ignore. With NFC business cards, a simple tap can become an instant gateway for cyberattacks, putting individual users, the card’s recipient, and corporate systems at risk.
So, why are NFC business cards a risky move for businesses? Let’s dive in.
Security risks of NFC business cards
1. Susceptibility to unauthorized access
Because NFC uses radio frequency communication, anyone physically near you with an NFC reader can intercept your data without you ever noticing. For enterprises, this opens up the possibility of sensitive company information falling into the wrong hands anywhere—at an event, on public transportation, or even at your fast food restaurant.
2. Insufficient encryption
Many NFC business cards lack sufficient encryption because they are designed for simplicity, have limited processing power, and because including encryption features increases the manufacturing cost. The affordability of NFC comes at the expense of advanced security features.
3. Data tampering risk
NFC business cards store all types of data: contact information, calendar links, websites, and more. If you don’t properly secure your NFC business card, hackers can exploit its links to redirect users to malicious websites or replace the intended data with harmful files or misleading contact information. So, instead of sharing your real information, you could unknowingly send people to a scam website or a virus that could harm their phone.
4. Exploitation of device vulnerabilities
Unless you’ve accomplished the near-impossible task of securely encrypting your NFC business card, it can present a risk to the person with whom you’re sharing your card.
If, unbeknownst to you, your NFC business card has been compromised, it could redirect the intended receiver to a malicious website that installs spyware or ransomware. Alternatively, it could execute a script to exploit known security vulnerabilities on the recipient's phone, granting the hacker unauthorized access to sensitive data or networks.
5. Risk of lost or stolen cards
NFC business cards can be easily lost or stolen. Unless you’ve set up proper security measures—such as encryption or two-factor authentication (2FA)—a misplaced card becomes an instant security risk to your company’s data.
6. Challenges in centralized security
When companies adopt NFC cards at scale, they can quickly become a logistical nightmare. From tracking and inventory management to the replacement cost, the overhead management of NFC business cards is enough to give everyone involved—specifically marketing, Human Resources, and IT—a massive headache.
If your organization is thinking about NFC business cards, consider the following
- What happens when an employee loses their NFC card?
- What happens when an employee leaves the company?
- How do you distribute NFC cards to a remote team?
- How can you prevent unauthorized updates or data tampering?
- How can you track and secure data?
A safer alternative: HiHello
HiHello is the leading digital business card platform for enterprises. We prioritize secure and sustainable solutions for sharing contact information, which is why we’ve made a conscious decision not to sell or provide NFC business cards. HiHello is SOC 2 Type 2 Compliant and encrypts data in transit and at rest.
While NFC business cards may seem like a quick and easy way to share information, their convenience comes with a significant security risk, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons of NFC. HiHello’s electronic business cards are a safer and more secure way to share information.
