What HR Teams Need To Know About Cybersecurity In The Metaverse

Mitigating risks and ensuring safety

The metaverse is a complex network of virtual reality (VR) worlds residing on various servers. People interact with different locations via avatars, which serve as online personas. The issues with keeping data secure in the metaverse come from the diverse areas where objects and mock places reside.
 

Human resources (HR) teams can utilize the metaverse to get to know potential new hires, as well as for training, remote work or team-building activities. Because people store personal information in the online environment, security is crucial. HR must be aware of potential issues and take steps to avoid breaches. Here are the areas to consider.

1. Authentication

Because users create and manage their identities, people can create multiple personas, and HR may be unable to identify them easily. For example, a disgruntled worker could develop a mock avatar to verbally attack management during team meetings.

In a Sprout Social survey of 300 marketing professionals, researchers found 64% were concerned about privacy and brand safety in the metaverse. Companies can utilize token-based authentication, where users must enter encrypted data to access an app. This might include a username, password and code sent to their cellphone.

2. Privacy

HR has a responsibility to ensure employees’ personal information remains private. Using information shared in a meeting outside the company's boundaries could harm someone's career.

One example might be a team meeting where someone shares they’ll be in rehab for a few weeks because they’re struggling with alcoholism. Co-workers repeat the information and the person loses clients and their reputation.

Set clear policies about what can be shared in the metaverse and rules about taking conversations into the real world.

3. Data Security

Data security is an issue across nearly every department and industry. Cybercriminals love to get their hands on information they shouldn’t have. The metaverse may collect credit card information and other details hackers can use to steal identities and credit information.

In 2023, a mere 13% of the people worldwide had their data protected. It's best to implement a few smart principles now to avoid HR breaches in the future. Some of the policies brands should adopt include:
 

• Assessing information and where it’s stored
• Training employees
• Running regular system scans for vulnerabilities
• Utilizing multifactor authentication
• Checking the security of third-party vendors

Awareness is the first step to keeping data secure.

4. Cyber Bullying

Another issue some companies face with the metaverse is that people sometimes feel emboldened when they aren’t physically face-to-face. Making snarky comments is easier when they don’t have to look into someone’s eyes.

Bullying of any type has no place in a work environment. The company should have clear rules surrounding what constitutes bullying online and offline, and anyone breaking those standards should be subject to termination.

The workplace should be safe for everyone. If companies want a healthy, thriving workplace culture, bullying must not be tolerated.

5. Device Vulnerability

Hackers breached over 5 billion records in 2023, and attacks are increasingly common. If any team member is remote or utilizes individual devices to tap into metaverse activities, HR may need to shore up training and security measures. Employees should use secure routers, firewalls and anti-virus software.

Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and be on the lookout if they are working in a public location. They should also take every precaution to protect their login credentials.

Advantages of the Metaverse

Although companies will need more prep work to keep data secure in the metaverse, the advantages of HR teams using VR for training, remote gatherings and interviews far surpass the potential risks. Attention to security lets companies safely utilize the benefits and reduce the challenges.

Author Bio

Zachary Amos is a tech writer with a special interest in HR technology, automation, and cybersecurity.