Hardware techniques to mitigate cyber and data thefts to enable digital technology adoption

Abstract

This paper examines the threat vectors specific to devices in metaverse ecosystem, that include factors such as identity theft, compromised biometric credentials, smart device vulnerabilities and finally the biggest challenge posed by AI impersonation. Furthermore, in the context of persistent consumer geotags or sensor-based data collection; it analyses the regulatory gaps inherent in General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) frameworks. This paper proposes onion-layered strategies to identify isolate-test- mitigate threats - with inner layer metaverse devices being in close proximity to humans and outer layer devices that surround us in the external environment. It highlights gaps in techno-commercial, infrastructural, organizational, and governance-level to recommend risk averse solutions. The outcome is an 8-step framework mapped to Vulnerability- Uncertainty- Complexity- Authenticity (VUCA) based on the device threat impact score. This framework can be referenced by businesses to prepare a future-looking roadmap that will enable a stable, reliable and secure metaverse adoption.