Enhancing user authentication and security in metaverse: a review of innovative techniques and the role of zero-trust models

Metaverse is a paradigm where people can interact in virtual environments using current technologies. The Metaverse is being advanced by artificial intelligence (AI) as it develops. These technologies have the power to significantly change how people communicate and live. Examples of these integrations include automating repetitive operations, creating customized user experiences based on their preferences and behaviors, and freeing up resources for more intricate and creative endeavors. The roles of artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies in the Metaverse, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), and natural language processing (NLP), are comprehensively reviewed in this study. A systematic literature review was used to successfully achieve the goals of this study. In addition to addressing the research topics, this systematic evaluation of the literature aims to improve the understanding of security and privacy issues in metaverse for suggestive solutions. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline were used in this work to ensure transparency. Despite being hailed as a promising new technology, early experiences in Metaverse suggest that security procedures need to be strengthened and issues addressed for fulfilling its promises. Hence, this work attempts to address Metaverse Security issues by leveraging on zero-trust principles where Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) frameworks for Metaverse are examined with the aim of enhancing security in the applications of metaverse.