2020 #VWEDU: #BIZ: Can virtual worlds meet network security requirements? Some can and some still have problems.

Can virtual worlds meet network security requirements?   
Some can and some still have problems.

A simplified look at the issues of secure communication in educational use of virtual worlds.

• Even education has security requirements: FERPA
• Business and government units have even stronger needs.
• How well do virtual worlds fit these needs?
• OpenSimulator: not at all
• CybaLOUNGE:  Completely and certainly.
• 3DWebWorldz: It probably does and certainly can.

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Private network

• A private network may be operated by a government agency, business, or school.
• It may be entirely local or communicate with its nodes via encrypted transmissions. 
• If a virtual world is operated within a private network, its security depends entirely on Network security.
• Such a virtual world is as secure as anything else in the network.
• Opensource software can be installed and run on a private network
• Proprietary software can only be used on a private network with permission of the owner.
• Thus a user of a private network often prefers opensource software.

Public network  

• A public network, usually the internet, exposes all communications to interception.
• The current solution to this security threat is encryption.    
• The web-based solution is the https protocol.
• The digital teacher assistant and FERPA: there are security issues.
• The security issues apply to OpenSimulator.
• Any web-based virtual world can use secure communications. 
• The communications can be as secure as bank-level communications.
• Opensimulator communications are not secure at this time
• Efforts to make them secure are in progress.
• To meet FERPA requirements (or the equivalent):
• educational users of OpenSimulator can use confidential nicknames for students.
• There are security risks at each end of the connection, but they must be managed at the site.  

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