Digital Trust Competence Center
We are an academic partner for managers, technology and industry experts as well as researchers aiming to share knowledge and best practices.
“Digital Trust means keeping our digital world safe and honest. This means ensuring secure online interactions by protecting data (cybersecurity), respecting privacy (data privacy), safely using new tech (emerging technologies), acting ethically (ethics and governance), managing risks, and following rules (compliance and audit).” – Competence Center Digital Trust
- Digital Trust is for us the “trustworthiness of digital technologies and data.
- Digital Trust is the basis of the digital economy ̶ regardless of which technologies or applications are involved and which data are processed. In the end, it is about treating digital data in a trustworthy manner so that we as private individuals or business partners can expect the highest possible level of protection and companies can (and want to) guarantee this.
- Digital Trust is important for Switzerland as a competitive location and for Europe! We use the proven concepts from governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) as well as from auditing as foundation.
Digital Trust is divided into five main areas for us:
- Cybersecurity & Resilience – the art of protecting networks, devices and data from unauthorized access or criminal use, and achieving resilience.
- Data protection – the strive towards protecting personal data from improper processing and securing the right to informational self-determination.
- Emerging Technologies – Emerging Technologies that have an impact on cybersecurity and Data protection (such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum computers)
- Digital Responsibility & Ethics – transforms ethics from aspiration into action, making digital trust both principled and verifiable.
- Governance – as a constitutive element of an organization’s value creation – by means of continuous overall consideration of all processes and responsibilities to manage risks effectively and efficiently.
Latest Posts
Women in Cyber – Voice of the Year Finalist: Dr. Swantje Westpfahl
We are proud to share that Dr. Swantje Westpfahl has been nominated as a finalist for the Women in Cyber – Voice of the Year 2026 award, spearheaded by the NIS-2-Congress. Dr. Westpfahl has been selected as one of eight finalists in the prestigious Leading Voice category.
Swiss Africa Cybersecurity Community Featured on Initiative Afrique Podcast
On December 5th, Franka Ebai particpiated attended the Africa-Bern Research Partnership Day 2025 at the University of Bern, where researchers from Switzerland and multiple African regions presented their work and engaged in cross-regional dialogue. During the event, she also contributed insights on the ongoing Swiss–Africa Cybersecurity Community. The Swiss Africa Cybersecurity Community…
Reflecting on Success of our Competence Center Digital Trust in 2025
The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for the Competence Centre Digital Trust (CCDT) at FHNW School of Business. Our activities across research, education, innovation, and outreach demonstrate both the breadth and depth of our engagement in advancing digital trust at national and international levels.Research and Project PortfolioIn 2025, CCDT…
Swiss Africa Cybersecurity Community Organizes Its 4th Workshop, Meeting Planned Objectives
On January 15, 2026, the Swiss-Africa Cybersecurity Community held its fourth workshop as part of its ongoing agenda to foster discussion and knowledge exchange in the field of cybersecurity. The workshop was hosted by Haute École Arc Neuchâtel. Franka Ebai, Prof. Nabil Ouerhani, Dr. Carlson Eyongabi Ngwa, Prof.
Excursion to the Dreiländermuseum Lörrach
On Thursday, November 20th, the Competence Center Digital Trust team visited the Dreiländermuseum Lörrach for an excursion combining cultural insight with project-related exchange. Upon arrival, the team was welcomed by Museum Director, Jan Merk, who offered a short, exclusive guided tour of the museum. The tour provided…