Financial Infrastructures

TRUST researchers aim to develop central science and engineering principles to ensure the long-term security, reliability, and ubiquitous usage of the nation's financial infrastructure. This comprises financial service enterprises, online retail businesses, and customers linked together in a trustworthy environment that supports commercial transactions. TRUST is addressing needs and challenges of a trusted financial infrastructure and its key components:

• Service Providers. Financial service providers and online retailers interact with customers through e-mail, operate web servers, carry out back-office operations subject to rigorous security and performance requirements, have complex partnering agreements, and rely on their brand image and reputation for competitive advantage.
• Customers. Individuals interact with financial service providers through e-mail and the web. These individuals are usually not technology experts yet they need to be assured of reliable interaction.
• Interconnection. Financial infrastructure customers rely on open networking standards, browser architecture, and web application development practices. Providers may also communicate through private networks, leverage federated identity management solutions, and outsource functions to other providers through complex networking practices.
• Policy. Financial services and online enterprises are subject to complex and overlapping regulations and evolving levels of customer awareness and sensitivities. Both policy and technology are necessary to drive security in an increasingly decentralized environment in which consumers with limited technical expertise and desire to manage security/privacy play a central role.