Data governance in metaverse: Addressing security threats and countermeasures across the data lifecycle

-In the era of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, metaverse embodies a sophisticated fusion of advanced technologies, introducing a multitude of complexities and distinctive vulnerabilities. This paper undertakes a systematic review of 76 scholarly articles to explore the critical data security issues associated with the metaverse. By analyzing each phase of the data lifecycle—encompassing acquisition, storage, transfer, processing, exchange, and destruction—the study identifies key threats and evaluates corresponding mitigation strategies. A notable contribution of this research is the comprehensive categorization of threats across all lifecycle phases, highlighting vulnerabilities stemming from the cutting-edge technologies underlying the metaverse. Additionally, this study emphasizes the importance of exploring solutions within the realm of infrastructure technologies. By emphasizing data governance and safeguarding data flow throughout its lifecycle, this study significantly contributes to the ongoing discourse on metaverse security, fostering the development of a more resilient and trustworthy virtual ecosystem.