Cybersecurity Implications in Mobile Device Augmented Reality Applications

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) has gained popularity as mobile application developers attempt to enhance the user experience (UX) by provided a medium that can overlay interactive, user-definable digital elements on top of the physical environment. As AR applications become ubiquitous, more organizations will attempt to utilize the technology and specifically, the information that is captured, to provide innovative services to end users. While there are easily identifiable benefits such as improved geo-tagging and telecommunication services, as well as, an “always on” connection to the user’s social community, there are concerns regarding the protection of personal data flows that involve both tangible and intangible cybersecurity trade-offs for the data subject and the data holder. Although the integrative field and literature pertaining to cybersecurity and augmented reality is narrow, this paper will identify the major components of mobile augmented reality systems, address common cyber-security concerns, and present security engineering as the remedy to safeguard user information from inadvertent compromise.