From the pillars of a healthy digital trust system to the best approach for organisations to build this system with customers , partners and stakeholders , James Bowman , Senior Director of Security Governance and Compliance at Diligent outlines the evolution of digital trust and how Diligent is empowering its clients to manage unforeseen risks , be compliant and drive efficiencies within their security processes .

What is digital trust and why does it matter in business ?

Drawing from my background in security compliance within the organisational framework , I consistently link digital trust to assurance . In my previous role , I focused on providing our customers with the assurance that our systems and platforms not only met high-security standards but also maintained a robust security posture . This assurance was pivotal in establishing trust with our customers that their data was safeguarded .

On the flip side , another part of the digital trust is providing assurance to the executive team and board to reinforce the security posture . This encapsulates my perspective on what digital trust is and why it is so important in any business .

What are the pillars of a healthy digital trust system ?

For me , transparency is important . In my previous role , the emphasis on transparency held great significance . Tasked with compliance for global security frameworks and certifications for our cloud platform , I navigated through obtaining and sustaining certifications with a focus on transparency .

On the flip side , another part of the digital trust is providing assurance to the executive team and board to reinforce the security posture .

Swift acquisition of certain certifications was facilitated by the transparent approach we adopted . Third-party auditors and government organisations reviewing assessments and audits benefited from the clarity in our processes .

Transparency within the organisation extended to reporting to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors and was a pivotal element which ensured a comprehensive understanding of our security posture and organisational risks .

The recent developments in the US such as the new SEC requirements and legal actions against certain companies underscore the importance of providing an accurate view of our security posture and organisational risks to our CISO and our Board of Directors .

What is the best approach for organisations to build healthy digital trust with customers , partners and other stakeholders ?

Here at Diligent , we maintain a dedicated team focused on providing assurance to customers throughout the initial sales process and on an annual basis . This assurance takes various forms including questionnaires , updated annual audits , audit reports and pen testing , all provided upon request to our existing customers .

Extending this diligence to our third-party vendors also contributes to a comprehensive security framework . We extensively use vendors across our global platforms , particularly relying on AWS with deployments in multiple regions . As a major vendor , we consistently assess their security posture , certifications and audits , ensuring continuous visibility .

James Bowman , Senior Director of Security Governance and Compliance at Diligent

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