Trust and Security

The narrative around Trust and Security has evolved significantly over the past two DET reports. Where previously the focus was on tackling isolated technological risks, such as securing IoT devices in the DET 2024, the conversation has now matured to become more systemic and geopolitical. Technology is no longer just a tool; it is a central pillar of competitiveness, economic supremacy, and national security. Distinct visions for a global digital order are emerging, with the emergence of competing technology blocs.

The six trends within this theme reflect a shift toward managing complex, dynamic, long-term challenges in a deeply interconnected global digital economy. Since the DET 2025 was published, the focus has broadened from operational security to strategic resilience, underscored by the rise of national industrial policies, digital sovereignty strategies, and the deepening interplay between technological competition and geopolitics. Defending entire interconnected digital ecosystems demands more holistic digital trade rules and increased resources for strengthening end-to-end cybersecurity — all central to strengthening trust and security in the digital era.

The discourse is also becoming more forward-looking, with an urgent focus on preparing for the convergence of multiple frontier digital technologies. These include the paradigm shift of quantum computing’s threat to undermine existing cryptographic techniques, the rapid advancement of generative AI, and the rise of business models with incentive structures that may not align with user safety and digital trust. Their convergence underscores the urgent need to reassess how trust is maintained in the digital economy.