Today's opening of the 2023 Munich Security Conference marks the fifth anniversary of the Charter of Trust (CoT). This celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the alliance's achievements and growth since 2018.This milestone is also an opportunity to discuss the path ahead for cybersecurity, as the world faces unprecedented levels of cyberthreats. The CoT remains convinced that secure and trusted digital technologies, infrastructures, products and solutions are the prerequisite for overcoming our global challenges.

Never before has the Munich Security Conference (MSC) faced such a wide variety of issues: War in Europe, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, global supply shocks and energy shortages are just a few headlines currently raising security concerns. From data theft and sabotage of critical infrastructures and political institutions in major democracies to attacks on utilities in war-torn regions, one aspect is central to most of today’s threats: cybersecurity. Unfortunately, cybersecurity is often awarded lower priority than the more tangible realities of the crises themselves. This negligence can be a catalyst for cyberattacks, with dire political, economic and social consequences. 

 

Cyberspace holds countless opportunities for governments, companies and private individuals alike. But it is not free of dangers, since novel technologies and digital innovations can be exploited by criminals or rogue entities for personal and political gains. Cyberattacks, spyware and ransomware have caused significant damage across a wide range of areas in recent years. Since 2021, ransomware has among other things been used to disrupt national healthcare systems, shut down crucial oil pipelines and incapacitate government agencies. The scale and scope of such attacks is increasing; the cost of cybercrime to the world economy is estimated at as much as $10.5 trillion by 20251. The dangers of insufficient cybersecurity are most dramatic in the context of international conflict: State-sponsored cyberattacks can take on a multitude of forms, ranging from espionage and disinformation to attacks on critical infrastructures and companies, as recently seen in Ukraine.   

 

Such threats call for international, non-partisan efforts to ensure the crucial security of IT systems against cyberattacks. Based on this premise, Siemens and eight industry partners established the Charter of Trust at the 2018 MSC. The mission of the alliance, which is still in focus today, is to create the trust needed in IT systems for consumers, companies and governments to build a cybersecure future worldwide.  

 

Rallying to this mission, the CoT now counts 17 multinational and cross-industrial members, with Microsoft joining in November 2022. The CoT has also grown its pool of Associated Partners to establish a global network of regulators, research institutes, universities and think-tanks sharing its vision for a stronger digital security environment. There are now 13 Associated Partners, with 5 new partners joining in 2022: the Cloud Security Alliance, the CyberPeace Institute, the Global Cyber Alliance, the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI) and the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). 

 

The CoT has spent its first five years focusing on how to protect the data of individuals and businesses and to prevent damage to people, companies and infrastructure, as well as to secure the foundation for confidence as the basis for a flourishing networked, digital world. Among the many measures launched by the CoT, the “Security by Default” principle has invited partners to integrate security concerns as early as the design phase. Members have also committed to pass on baseline cybersecurity requirements to their suppliers, with the aim of enhancing cybersecurity along the entire supply chain. In its efforts to implement a cross-industry approach, the CoT has focused on providing information, training and other resources to small and medium-sized enterprises.  

 

Trustworthy AI is part of the CoT’s portfolio. A critical aspect of cybersecurity that focuses on the development and deployment of AI systems that are reliable, secure, and transparent. Trustworthy AI can help prevent, detect, and respond to security threats in a responsible and ethical manner. Without trustworthy AI systems, they can turn into security vulnerabilities that can be used in malicious ways. Ensuring trustworthy design and deployment of AI systems is crucial for the overall security of digital systems and infrastructure. 

 

Looking ahead, the CoT is committed to use its cybersecurity toolbox – baseline requirements, resources and capabilities – to provide all interested stakeholders with unique guidance on how to promote cyber-resilience and navigate complex cybersecurity technology and regulatory rulebooks. Most recently, the CoT published on its website a guideline document for achieving secure development life cycles. The guideline shows how a product or service can be designed within a secure development process and how to integrate the baseline security mechanism. 

 

Natalia Oropeza, Chief Cybersecurity Officer & Chief Diversity Officer at Siemens: “The Charter of Trust calls for peace, solution-focused policies and international collaboration. We are convinced that only with secure and trusted digital technologies, infrastructures, products, and solutions will we overcome global challenges.” 

 

Meeting in Munich today on the margins of the 2023 MSC, CoT members will have the opportunity to reflect on the work accomplished since the alliance’s inception and pave a way forward. 

 

You can follow these discussions virtually by registering here: cot2023.events.dc.siemens.com

Find out more about the Charter of Trust on our website: www.charteroftrust.com/about/  

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We are delighted to welcome Richard Skalt, Advocacy Manager at TÜV SÜD, as the new Leader of the Advocacy Workstream at the Charter of Trust. Richard steps into the role following María del Pino González-Junco, who recently assumed the position of Chair of the Global External Engagement Working Group.

With a strong background in advocacy and a forward-looking vision, Richard brings renewed energy to our mission of shaping a secure digital future. As he puts it:

“My motivation is to preserve and build upon the strong foundation of advocacy activities we’ve developed over the past years. At the same time, I’m committed to ensuring we’re in a position to shape the policies that will define how our business model and operations evolve in the future – including the cybersecurity of products and systems, the use, deployment, and distribution of robust AI solutions, as well as cloud security and secure datacenters.”

In a world defined by accelerating digital transformation and increasingly complex regulatory challenges, principled leadership and effective collaboration are more vital than ever. Under Richard’s leadership, the Advocacy Workstream will continue to engage policymakers, raise public awareness, and strengthen education around key issues such as cybersecurity, AI governance, and secure digital infrastructures.
April 29, 2025
New Chairwoman for the Global External Engagement Group
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The Charter of Trust is proud to announce María del Pino González-Junco, Cybersecurity Alliances Manager at Siemens, as the new Chairwoman of the Global External Engagement Working Group. Her appointment marks a significant step forward in our shared mission to advance cybersecurity through strong international collaboration.

Pino’s election follows a dynamic Collaboration Week in Denmark, where Charter of Trust partners from around the world came together to align on strategy, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm our commitment to a secure digital future. As a longstanding leader within the advocacy workstream, Pino has been instrumental in fostering open dialogue with key external stakeholders and promoting cybersecurity awareness across industries and institutions.

“A reliable digital world can only thrive if public and private institutions build trust and cyber-resilience together, share their expertise, and support society in this digital journey. Those are our goals at the Charter of Trust,” says Pino.

She takes over the role from Sumit Chanda, COO/CISO at Atos, who has guided the working group with vision and energy. We are pleased to share that Dr Chanda has since been elected Co-Chair of the Charter of Trust by the Board of Directors in February—ensuring his continued impact on the initiative’s strategic direction.

We extend our sincere thanks to Sumit for his outstanding leadership and warmly congratulate Pino on her new role.
April 24, 2025
Charter of Trust elects new co-chairs of the Board of Directors
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Charter of Trust elects new co-chairs of the Board of Directors

We are honoured to announce that Dr. Ralf Schneider, Senior Fellow and Head of Cybersecurity and NextGenIT Think Tank at Allianz and Dr. Sumit Chanda, Chief Operating Officer at Atos Group Security have been elected as new co-chairs of the Charter of Trust during our last Board of Directors meeting in Munich.

The Partners and Associated Partners thanked Natalia Oropeza, Global Chief Cybersecurity Officer at Siemens, for her engagement and steady leadership during her term as Chairwoman. In her tenure, the Charter of Trust underwent important internal and external changes. What first stands out is the smooth integration of the four working groups, which made the Charter of Trust more agile, leaner and more efficient. It is also safe to say that the alliance has never had such a high level of exposure externally, due to the Charter of Trust partners continuous dedication to the mission of the alliance.

In the spirit of industry collaboration, Natalia Oropeza expressed her support to our new Co-Chairs and said how “incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, welcoming new partners, strengthening our structure, and elevating the Charter of Trust's impact on the global cybersecurity landscape. Collaboration has been at the heart of our success, and I am confident that Dr. Sumit Chanda and Dr. Ralf Schneider as Co-Chairs, the Charter will continue to drive meaningful progress towards a more secure digital world."

For the first time in its history, the Charter of Trust will be co-chaired. Dr. Ralf Schneider from Allianz and Dr. Sumit Chanda from Atos who have decades of experience in the world of cybersecurity and have been active within the alliance for several years now. Both unite an intrinsic motivation to foster inter- and intra-sector collaboration as well as the continuous sharing of knowledge between the Partners and Associated Partners of the Charter of Trust.

For the next year the co-chairs aim to amplify the number of Partners and Associated Partners. This growth, however, should still preserve the unique features of the Charter of Trust as a large practitioner organization with member from all over the world. Expanding into new sectors and new countries is a key target for the new leadership team, so that the Alliance can continue to engage with stakeholders at the highest level.

Dr. Sumit Chanda underlined that “The Charter of Trust’s role is to promote a safe and trusted digital work.  Its unique partnership blend of large organisations, working across 190 countries, and across several sectors, has enabled it to make significant progress under the leadership of Mrs. Natalia Oropeza.  I would like to thank her for these great achievements.  Along with Dr. Ralf Schneider from Allianz, we welcome the opportunity to build on her work as the Co-Chairs of Charter of Trust.”

Ralf Schneider added that “In dynamic times with more risks, more uncertainty, and more unknowns, we as the Charter of Trust step up – to provide stability, promote reliability, and foster trust. This is our mission today and tomorrow.”.
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