Security, Privacy and Safety Risk Assessment for Virtual Reality Learning Environment Applications

Social Virtual Reality based Learning Environments (VRLEs) such as vSocial render instructional content in a three-dimensional immersive computer experience for training youth with learning impediments. There are limited prior works that explored attack vulnerability in VR technology, and hence there is a need for systematic frameworks to quantify risks corresponding to security, privacy, and safety (SPS) threats. The SPS threats can adversely impact the educational user experience and hinder delivery of VRLE content. In this paper, we propose a novel risk assessment framework that utilizes attack trees to calculate a risk score for varied VRLE threats with rate and duration of threats as inputs. We compare the impact of a well-constructed attack tree with an adhoc attack tree to study the trade-offs between overheads in managing attack trees, and the cost of risk mitigation when vulnerabilities are identified. We use a vSocial VRLE testbed in a case study to showcase the effectiveness of our framework and demonstrate how a suitable attack tree formalism can result in a more safer, privacy-preserving and secure VRLE system.Comment: Tp appear in the CCNC 2019 Conferenc

Collaborative geographic visualization

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente, perfil Gestão e Sistemas AmbientaisThe present document is a revision of essential references to take into account when developing ubiquitous Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with collaborative visualization purposes. Its chapters focus, respectively, on general principles of GIS, its multimedia components and ubiquitous practices; geo-referenced information visualization and its graphical components of virtual and augmented reality; collaborative environments, its technological requirements, architectural specificities, and models for collective information management; and some final considerations about the future and challenges of collaborative visualization of GIS in ubiquitous environment

Hybrid client-server and P2P network for web-based collaborative 3D design

National audienceOur proposed research project is to enable 3D distributed visualization and manipulation involving collaborative effort through the use of web-based technologies. Our project resulted from a wide collaborative application research fields: Computer Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modeling (BIM) or Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) where design tasks are often performed in teams and need a fluent communication system. The system allows distributed remote assembling in 3D scenes with real-time updates for the users. This paper covers this feature using hybrid networking solution: a client-server architecture (REST) for 3D rendering (WebGL) and data persistence (NoSQL) associated to an automatically built peer-to-peer (P2P) mesh for real-time communication between the clients (WebRTC). The approach is demonstrated through the development of a web-platform prototype focusing on the easy manipulation, fine rendering and light update messages for all participating users. We provide an architecture and a prototype to enable users to design in 3D together in real time with the benefits of web based online collaboration

SUPPORTING MISSION PLANNING WITH A PERSISTENT AUGMENTED ENVIRONMENT

Includes supplementary materialIncludes Supplementary MaterialThe Department of the Navy relies on current naval practices such as briefs, chat, and voice reports to provide an overall operational assessment of the fleet. That includes the cyber domain, or battlespace, depicting a single snapshot of a ship’s network equipment and service statuses. However, the information can be outdated and inaccurate, creating confusion among decision-makers in understanding the service and availability of equipment in the cyber domain. We examine the ability of a persistent augmented environment (PAE) and 3D visualization to support communications and cyber network operations, reporting, and resource management decision-making. We designed and developed a PAE prototype and tested the usability of its interface. Our study examined users’ comprehension of 3D visualization of the naval cyber battlespace onboard multiple ships and evaluated the PAE’s ability to assist in effective mission planning at the tactical level. The results are highly encouraging: the participants were able to complete their tasks successfully. They found the interface easy to understand and operate, and the prototype was characterized as a valuable alternative to their current practices. Our research provides close insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of the novel form of data representation and its capability to support faster and improved situational awareness and decision-making in a complex operational technology (OT) environment between diverse communities.Lieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited