What Is Extended Reality and Why Security Matters
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that includes Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). These immersive technologies are increasingly being integrated into sectors like healthcare, logistics, entertainment, and retail.
Jamie O'Donnell, CEO of Boundless Immersive, envisions a near future where smart glasses deliver live, location-based data overlays essentially making mobile phones obsolete. But with these advancements come critical challenges around the capture, storage, and transmission of sensitive information.
Security isn’t just an IT concern anymore it's embedded in the user experience.
The Key Security Risks of XR Technologies
1. Personal Data Collection and Exposure
XR devices often require access to vast amounts of personal data: eye movement, facial recognition, location tracking, biometrics, and even environmental mapping. This data is not only sensitive, it’s also continuous.
If not encrypted or stored securely, this information could be intercepted or exploited. For example, Meta’s Quest headsets collect significant amounts of behavioral data, which raises questions about consent and usage.
2. Vulnerable Endpoints
Smart glasses and AR wearables may lack the security infrastructure of more mature platforms like smartphones or desktops. These devices are often connected to cloud-based systems or Wi-Fi networks, creating potential entry points for cyberattacks.
In enterprise environments, this could lead to IP theft, surveillance, or unauthorised access to operational data.