How the Trusted Tech Alliance Sets Digital Trust Standards

Fifteen major technology companies have come together to form an alliance in a bid to strengthen trust in the global digital ecosystem. 

Announced at the Munich Security Conference, the Trusted Tech Alliance (TTA) brings together firms from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America – including the likes of Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, Ericsson, Nokia, SAP and Anthropic – to create a foundation of shared principles for secure, transparent and resilient technologies.

The 15 members of the TTA are:

• Anthropic
• ​AWS
• Cassava Technologies
• Cohere
• Ericsson
• Google Cloud
• Hanwha
• Jio Platforms
• Microsoft
• Nokia
• Nscale
• NTT
• Rapidus
• Saab
• SAP​

The launch of the alliance comes at a time when uncertainty is growing around the security, sovereignty and interoperability of digital systems. 

By defining a “trusted technology stack”, the TTA aims to give global customers greater confidence that the building blocks of modern technology – from semiconductors to cloud and AI – are developed according to consistent, verifiable standards.

The TTA’s five pillars of trust

The participating companies have agreed on five principles defining how trusted technology should be developed, deployed and operated.

These principles are designed to reinforce accountability across the technology lifecycle, from design and deployment through to long‑term management and supplier engagement.

The alliance says that the goal is to deliver technology that “can be secure, reliable and responsibly operated, regardless of where it is built or deployed”.

TTA: A unified industry response

By bringing together 15 of the industry’s leading voices, the TTA is aiming to show that trusted technology cannot be delivered in isolation.

“No single company or a country can build a secure and trusted digital stack alone,” says Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson.

“Rather, trust and security can only be achieved together.

“That’s why, together with like-minded industry peers, we have launched the Trusted Tech Alliance –  an initiative committed to verifiable trust practices across the digital stack.”

David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs & Legal Officer at Amazon, adds: “In an era of rapid technological change, collaboration between like-minded industry peers is essential to promote customer trust and realise the full benefit of technology on the economy and society.

“We are joining the Trusted Tech Alliance to reinforce our continued commitment to provide customers with trusted, secure and resilient technology.”

Adding to this sentiment, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, frames the Alliance as a way to rebuild confidence in global digital infrastructure.

“In the current geopolitical environment, it is critical that like-minded companies work together to protect security and advance high global standards to preserve trust in technology across borders,” he says.

“Based not on the nationality of the provider but on shared commitments to customers, this alliance brings together leading companies around clear, verifiable principles that show technology can be secure, reliable and responsibly operated wherever it is deployed.”

The importance of trust

For AI and critical infrastructure providers, trust is increasingly linked to competitiveness.

Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia, says: “AI is accelerating change across the technology stack and raising the bar for trust. Networks and critical infrastructure must be secure, resilient, and interoperable by design. 

“We’re joining with industry partners through the Trusted Tech Alliance to reinforce that foundation as intelligence scales globally.”

It's not just brands that have been established for decades that are singing to this tune, however.

Emerging tech players like Anthropic and Nscale echo this message, particularly in the context of AI.

“As AI systems grow more powerful – driving innovation, accelerating economic growth and reshaping national security – the US and its allies and partners must ensure that the world's most widely adopted models are safe, reliable, trustworthy and transparently developed,” says Anthropic's Head of External Affairs, Sarah Heck.

“Anthropic is proud to join the Trusted Tech Alliance and to support American AI leadership and advance common principles for trusted AI alongside like-minded partners.”

Josh Payne, Founder and CEO of Nscale, adds: “AI infrastructure is the foundation upon which innovation is built – and that foundation needs to be trusted and secure. 

“Customers must have absolute confidence in where their data resides, how it is protected and who governs the systems powering their AI. 

“At Nscale, our sovereign AI infrastructure is purpose-built to deliver that assurance, combining performance with rigorous security, transparency and local control. 

“We’re proud to partner with organisations around the world to advance AI in a way that is secure, trusted and built for long-term resilience.”