At the Munich Security Conference today, Siemens and eight partners from industry will sign the first joint charter for greater cybersecurity. Initiated by Siemens, the Charter of Trust calls for binding rules and standards to build trust in cybersecurity and further advance digitalization.
In addition to Siemens and the Munich Security Conference (MSC), the companies Airbus, Allianz, Daimler Group, IBM, NXP, SGS and Deutsche Telekom are signing the Charter. The initiative is further welcomed by Canadian foreign minister and G7 representative Chrystia Freeland as well as witnessed by Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
“Confidence that the security of data and networked systems is guaranteed is a key element of the digital transformation,” said Siemens President and CEO Joe Kaeser. “That’s why we have to make the digital world more secure and more trustworthy. It’s high time we acted – not just individually but jointly with strong partners who are leaders in their markets. We hope more partners will join us to further strengthen our initiative.”
The Charter delineates 10 action areas in cybersecurity where governments and businesses must both become active. It calls for responsibility for cybersecurity to be assumed at the highest levels of government and business, with the introduction of a dedicated ministry in governments and a chief information security officer at companies. It also calls for companies to establish mandatory, independent third-party certification for critical infrastructure and solutions – above all, where dangerous situations can arise, such as with autonomous vehicles or the robots of tomorrow, which will interact directly with humans during production processes. In the future, security and data protection functions are to be preconfigured as a part of technologies, and cybersecurity regulations are to be incorporated into free trade agreements. The Charter’s signatories also call for greater efforts to foster an understanding of cybersecurity through training and continuing education as well as international initiatives.
“Secure digital networks are the critical infrastructure underpinning our interconnected world,” said Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland. “Canada welcomes the efforts of these key industry players to help create a safer cyberspace. Cybersecurity will certainly be a focus of Canada’s G7 presidency year.” The matter is also a top priority for the Munich Security Conference. “Governments must take a leadership role when it comes to the transaction rules in cyberspace,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference. “But the companies that are in the forefront of envisioning and designing the future of cyberspace must develop and implement the standards. That’s why the Charter is so important. Together with our partners, we want to advance the topic and help define its content,” he added.
In a digitalized world, the threats to cybersecurity are steadily growing: According to Gartner, 8.4 billion networked devices were in use in 2017 – a 31-percent increase over 2016. By 2020, the figure is expected to reach 20.4 billion.
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New Chairwoman for the Global External Engagement Group
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External Engagement
New Chairwoman for the Global External Engagement Group
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.
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.
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April 24, 2025
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General announcements
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.”.
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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February 12, 2025
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External Engagement
Charter of Trust Board of Directors Meeting 2025
The Charter of Trust has kicked off its most pivotal week of the year with a high-level meeting of its Board of Directors in Munich. This influential gathering brought together key decision-makers to reflect on the past year’s successes and set the strategic direction for the future of global cybersecurity.
Under the leadership of Chairwoman Natalia Oropeza, the Charter of Trust has strengthened its internal structure, successfully integrating new Partners and Associated Partners while enhancing collaboration through four dedicated working groups. Externally, the alliance has made a significant impact, engaging global audiences through media, conferences, panel discussions, and key industry events.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Charter of Trust enters a new chapter with a co-chair leadership model. Dr. Sumit Chanda, Global CISO at Eviden, and Ralf Schneider, Head of Cybersecurity at Allianz, will take the helm, bringing a dynamic vision focused on building resilient ecosystems, harmonizing frameworks, and advancing cybersecurity education.
A special thank you to Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman & CEO of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), for his insightful keynote on the evolving cyber threat landscape and the vital role the Charter of Trust plays in shaping global cybersecurity solutions.
With a bold vision for 2025, the Charter of Trust continues to drive innovation, collaboration, and trust in the digital world.
Under the leadership of Chairwoman Natalia Oropeza, the Charter of Trust has strengthened its internal structure, successfully integrating new Partners and Associated Partners while enhancing collaboration through four dedicated working groups. Externally, the alliance has made a significant impact, engaging global audiences through media, conferences, panel discussions, and key industry events.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Charter of Trust enters a new chapter with a co-chair leadership model. Dr. Sumit Chanda, Global CISO at Eviden, and Ralf Schneider, Head of Cybersecurity at Allianz, will take the helm, bringing a dynamic vision focused on building resilient ecosystems, harmonizing frameworks, and advancing cybersecurity education.
A special thank you to Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman & CEO of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), for his insightful keynote on the evolving cyber threat landscape and the vital role the Charter of Trust plays in shaping global cybersecurity solutions.
With a bold vision for 2025, the Charter of Trust continues to drive innovation, collaboration, and trust in the digital world.
Read more
February 12, 2025
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