Mapping the literature on factors influencing cybersecurity in the metaverse: a bibliometric analysis

This article aims to analyze the level of research maturity on cybersecurity in the Metaverse through the identification and synthesis of the technological, organizational, human, and regulatory factors that influence Metaverse cybersecurity. To this end, literature was collected from Web of Science...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Oliet Villalba, José María, Medina Merodio, José Amelio|||0000-0003-3359-4952, Ferrer Oliva, Mikel, Martínez Herraiz, José Javier|||0000-0002-2351-7163
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Alcalá (UAH)
Repositorio:e_Buah Biblioteca Digital Universidad de Alcalá
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:ebuahbibliot::745c6e149ba0bc5d6b4b6dbfb7e7218a
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10017/69334
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2026.104888
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Science mapping
Bibliometric analysis
Metaverse
Cybersecurity
Cyberthreat
Blockchain
Informática
Computer science
Descripción
Sumario:This article aims to analyze the level of research maturity on cybersecurity in the Metaverse through the identification and synthesis of the technological, organizational, human, and regulatory factors that influence Metaverse cybersecurity. To this end, literature was collected from Web of Science and Scopus, applying PRISMA 2020, bibliometric techniques, and “scientific mapping” to analyze 285 documents retrieved from both databases. By using tools such as SciMap and VOSViewer, it was possible to develop a knowledge diagram that illustrates the findings. The results reveal seven clusters organized around major factor domains: (1) Internet of Things and Machine Learning; (2) The Metaverse ecosystem; (3) Hardware infrastructure; (4) Secure data processing and access control; (5) Blockchain technology; (6) Authentication; (7) Artificial Intelligence, augmented reality, and quantum technologies. The conclusions indicate that human and governance factors receive comparatively less attention than technological-algorithmic ones, opening prioritized lines of inquiry for future research and public policy.