Virtual Reality, Real Threats: Understanding Cyber Risks in AR/VR Applications

October 24, 2024 at 8:00 am by Amanda Canale

As virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies have become integral to gaming, education, social interaction, and even work environments, the need for robust security measures has become critical to protect the digital assets and personal information stored in these immersive spaces. Like any other virtual environment, VR and AR platforms house vast amounts of sensitive data—from user profiles to behavioral logs and communication histories. While security measures like encryption and data retention policies play crucial roles in safeguarding this information, data destruction is often overlooked but is of equal importance (if not more so). 

The Rise of Virtual and Augmented Reality

In recent years, VR and AR have evolved from niche technologies to mainstream tools used for entertainment, business collaboration, healthcare, and more. With this rise comes the generation of vast amounts of personal data, creating a unique set of security challenges. Whether it’s a VR gaming platform where users engage in interactive worlds or an AR app overlaying digital data onto real-world environments, the volume of information collected—such as location, preferences, behavioral patterns, and even biometric data—requires careful protection.

What’s more is that the highly immersive nature of these platforms only intensifies the stakes. Users’ virtual identities, actions, and interactions are deeply personal and, in many cases, may reveal more personally identifiable information (PII) than traditional social media platforms. It is because of this that a comprehensive approach to data security, which includes not just the protection but also the complete and proper destruction of data when it’s no longer needed, is necessary.

A photo of a woman wearing virtual reality headwear while at an event with other people. The lights behind her give off a blue, pink, and orange ambience.

The Data at Stake: Digital Assets and Personal Information

The data stored in virtual worlds extends far beyond simple usernames and passwords. Some of the key digital assets and personal information at stake include:

  • User profiles: Detailed records of a person’s preferences, behavior, and interactions within the virtual or augmented world.
  • Behavioral data: Tracking a user’s movements, choices, and actions can create a profile that companies can use for targeted advertising or product development.
  • Communication logs: Chats, voice conversations, and shared media may be recorded and stored, raising privacy concerns.
  • Virtual goods and avatars: Items bought or created in virtual environments, such as skins, virtual real estate, or personalized avatars, carry significant monetary and sentimental value.

In these virtual immersive worlds, data breaches or misuse can have real-world implications. Imagine losing control of a virtual property you purchased or having your communication logs exposed. The need to securely manage and eventually destroy this data is just as critical as its initial protection.

Methods of Security: Data Protection from Creation to Destruction

To address these risks, virtual and augmented reality platforms implement several security methods, from encryption to data retention policies. But without the final step of data destruction, these measures can fall short.

Encryption

Encryption is a foundational security method, ensuring that any data stored in or transmitted through VR/AR platforms is protected from unauthorized access. End-to-end encryption can secure personal messages, while encryption of data at rest safeguards stored digital assets. However, encryption alone does not erase data—ensuring that sensitive information is entirely eliminated requires proper data destruction processes. 

User Consent and Transparency

User consent and transparency are vital in managing personal data within virtual spaces. Users should be fully aware of what data is being collected and how it will be used. In AR applications, where the lines between physical and virtual worlds blur, obtaining user consent for location tracking and environmental scanning becomes even more critical. Yet, it’s essential to inform users not just about data collection, but also about how and when their data will be destroyed when it’s no longer needed.

Data Retention Policies

Setting clear data retention policies is crucial for ensuring that information isn’t stored indefinitely. For instance, VR gaming platforms may need to retain certain user behavior data for gameplay improvement, but this data should be deleted once it’s served its purpose. Regular audits and automated deletion systems can enforce retention limits, ensuring data is purged in a timely manner. 

Chain of Custody and Decommissioning

Finally, proper chain-of-custody practices and decommissioning of outdated or unused hardware are critical for ensuring that data is not exposed during transitions. A chain of custody is a detailed, documented trail of who is handling the data, its movements, who has access, and any other activity. Ensuring compliance and security, this critical documentation should only be handled by authorized personnel, ensuring that sensitive data is not only handled properly throughout its lifecycle, but is also securely destroyed when it reaches end-of-life, meeting both auditing standards and data decommissioning best practices. Whether it’s a VR headset that’s no longer in use or a server that’s being retired, every device containing user data should follow a strict process for destruction. 

High security data destruction ensures that no residual data can be recovered from physical devices. Our comprehensive solutions cover a range of data destruction methods to meet the unique needs of VR/AR environments. From our EMP1000-HS degausser that scrambles and breaks the hard disk drive’s binary code, to physical destruction techniques like disintegration and shredding, our solutions ensure that data is irretrievable at every stage. Whether you’re decommissioning a server or phasing out outdated VR hardware, our customizable solutions provide a layered approach that addresses all aspects of data security, guaranteeing full compliance and protection for both physical and digital assets. 

A museum visitor experiences art through augmented reality, showcasing the integration of technology and cultural heritage

Conclusion

As virtual and augmented reality continue to expand their reach into various aspects of our daily lives, the need for controlled destruction of collected and stored data is essential. 

While encryption, user consent, and data retention policies provide essential layers of protection, they must be complemented by thorough data destruction processes to fully safeguard sensitive information. In these immersive worlds, where personal identities, digital assets, and behavioral data are deeply intertwined with real-life implications, neglecting the proper destruction of data can lead to serious privacy risks. Therefore, ensuring that both the digital and physical elements of VR and AR ecosystems follow stringent data destruction protocols is key to maintaining user trust and securing the future of these groundbreaking technologies.