The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a well-known role in connecting physical and virtual objects to exchange information. IoT environments can connect billions o

As the Metaverse advances, securing three-dimensional (3D) digital assets, particularly in the GL Transmission Format Binary (GLB) file format, is crucial due to their lightweight, self-contained nature and efficient binary encoding, which contributes to their compact size and fast load times essential for real-time rendering in gaming and interactive applications. However, the binary encoding and complex structure of GLB files present significant encryption challenges. This research presents a novel extraction framework for the vertex data of 3D GLB objects to facilitate their encryption, ensuring the secure management of Metaverse assets. It should be noted that the proposed system is not itself a new encryption algorithm, but rather a pre-encryption preparation stage that outputs vertex and texture data in structured arrays, which can then be serialized for use with any standard or advanced encryption scheme. The motivation for this framework lies in safeguarding high-value digital assets in the Metaverse, such as rare jewelry designs, unreleased fashion pieces, concept cars, or game assets that must remain undisclosed until release, where confidentiality, intellectual property rights, and security outweigh real-time speed considerations. The proposed system focuses on extracting the x, y, and z vertex coordinates of the GLB, making them more suitable for encryption, especially using the Improved Flexible Cryptosystem based on Cellular Automata. By leveraging the binary structure and multi-layered nature of GLB files, the proposed system ensures both efficiency and adaptability in encryption and decryption processes. Furthermore, the evaluation of implementation results demonstrated the system’s usability, performance, and security in Metaverse applications.

This study examines a structured intervention at a Middle Eastern university. It aims to enhance undergraduate Information Technology (IT) students’ comprehension and competency with the Metaverse. With immersive technologies still emerging in the region, the study targeted five core dimensions: conceptual understanding, tool familiarity, perceived academic benefits, ethical awareness, and reduction of usage-related challenges. Using a pre- and post-test design with 60 participants, the intervention yielded statistically significant improvements across all dimensions (p < 0.001). The greatest gains were observed in tool familiarity (M = 1.41, t = 28.05) and ethical awareness (M = 1.07, t = 21.29), highlighting the intervention’s impact on both technical and critical thinking competencies. This study contributes to the growing body of empirical evidence on Metaverse integration in undergraduate IT education. It was implemented at a Middle Eastern university by presenting a model that may be adapted and tested elsewhere for competency development. It also identifies pedagogical strategies that, in this cohort, facilitate meaningful engagement with immersive environments. The findings may be relevant to similar institutions in early adoption phases, offering preliminary, context-specific insights for curriculum design and digital transformation in IT education. By addressing this gap, the study provides evidence on how Metaverse adoption can be integrated into IT higher education, and offers context-specific insights from a Middle Eastern setting.