The digitalization of trust

“Fide, sed cui, vide.” Trust, but be careful whom you trust – this Latin proverb succinctly describes one of the challenges of the digital age. As more and more interpersonal and business-related exchanges take place in the digital world, the concept of trust needs a digital equivalent. This is crucial given that more content is being created by artificial intelligence and fake news is undermining trust in the digital sphere. 

The need for digital trust applies to many different use cases. From e-wallets to ID documents and machine identities, verifiable authenticity is a prerequisite for their use in transactions. Smart contracts in the blockchain and IoT transactions are just two of the innovations that are set to go mainstream once the concept of digital trust has been firmly established.

Digital expressions of trust, expansion of the security tech portfolio

One example of digital trust is autonomous transactions between devices in the IoT, such as when a device automatically reorders items that are running low. Like in human relationships, trust is created here through positive experiences: the devices must establish that the other party actually exists and can fulfill its obligations, be it delivery or payment. The security of the transaction also has to be guaranteed, without any risk of tampering or alteration. In addition, a legal framework to govern the transaction is required, which should include dispute resolution.

Much of this process already works in a trusted manner. Processing the payment is easy because the relevant technologies are available. Verification is currently the sticking point. How can a device ensure that the item or service supplied actually corresponds to the order – particularly where quality, not just quantity, is important?

Digital identities play a crucial role not only for machines but also for people. We’ve already come a long way in terms of building digital trust, but there is still much to do. A key milestone will be reached when the EU member states issue their versions of the EU Digital Identity Wallet in the next twelve months, something to which they have legally committed themselves. At G+D, the Technology Office is researching these exciting, forward-looking solutions.

In order to drive digital trust and build a corresponding ecosystem, G+D continually brings its own innovations to market and also invests in relevant tech start-ups via G+D Ventures. In 2022, G+D Ventures teamed up with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to launch a fund dedicated to investing in TrustTech start-ups. The term TrustTech expands the traditional definition of cyber security to include technologies that promote trust across all layers of the digital ecosystem: infrastructure, identities, regulation, and ethics.

The portfolio of TrustTech holdings now includes more than ten active companies; two other portfolio companies have already been successfully sold. The latest investment is in Blockbrain, which is developing an AI-supported knowledge management platform that helps companies to efficiently organize unstructured data and transform it into actionable insights. As the main investor, G+D Ventures purchased a stake in Blockbrain to help drive development of its innovative technologies in the field of knowledge management.

Digital Security: Creating trust in a connected future

The Internet of Things is growing – and so are the challenges. By 2030, the number of connected devices worldwide is forecast to hit more than 32 billion.¹ If practically the whole world will soon be connected, how do we structure this network to make it secure and efficient?

The key to success is a full-stack approach

The challenges are many and varied. A fragmented market, a host of providers, and different technologies on various value creation levels hamper the implementation of mobile IoT solutions and obstruct efficient scaling. In addition, in many regions there are multiple providers with diverse offerings. How can businesses utilize the opportunities of the IoT quickly and safely against this backdrop? 

To address this question, G+D has adopted a full-stack approach in the field of Secure Connectivity & IoT that enables us to provide end-to-end enterprise IoT solutions. G+D covers all relevant components of cellular IoT connectivity and makes them available as an integrated and immediately deployable solution – from SIMs/eSIMs, IoT connectivity, and security applications to a central management and reporting platform. This facilitates fast implementation and secure scaling of projects. Companies from diverse industries, such as truckmaker Scania, use our platform and are leveraging it to significantly reduce their operating overhead. Targeted acquisitions, including Pod Group and MECOMO AG, have contributed to a comprehensive offering that underscores G+D’s position as a pioneer in the IoT space.

Discovering new worlds – or at least new countries: digital identity as a basis for trust

The digitalization of trust is inconceivable without secure, state-of-the-art identity technologies. In Latvia, the government has shown what is possible by working with Veridos to introduce one of the most advanced and award-winning ePassports currently available. These documents include a color photograph on a polycarbonate data card and incorporate innovative characteristics, such as a feature that creates the impression of movement when the card is tilted. Technologies like these set new benchmarks for documents and raise security standards. Integration into a central personalization system allows convenient travel and creates trust in the global movement of people and data. At the same time, the ePassports feature exceptional aesthetics that remain memorable long after passing through border control.

Veridos’s collaboration with Latvia demonstrates how states can combine security and efficiency with the aid of identity technologies. It is also a key milestone in the Veridos success story: founded ten years ago as a joint venture between G+D and Bundesdruckerei, the company has become a leading provider of secure identity solutions. From early-stage projects to innovative ePassport systems in over 100 countries, Veridos shows how digital and physical identities can deliver security and convenience.

A secure cloud for state secrets – and strong cyber security with AI

A secure infrastructure is a prerequisite for digitalization of sensitive areas in public administration and business. secunet, G+D’s listed subsidiary, accordingly invests heavily in cloud platform services that are made in Germany. The aim is to develop an independent cloud ecosystem for public authorities and businesses that meets even the most rigorous security requirements. The deliberate choice of open-source technologies creates transparency and avoids vendor lock-in. More than 250 organizations are already benefiting from a flexible, sovereign IT infrastructure thanks to public cloud services such as those developed by SysEleven, a 100% subsidiary of secunet.

secunet’s SINA cloud sets the benchmark for trustworthy infrastructure. It is the first cloud solution in Germany to be suitable for classified information up to and including the classification level SECRET. The innovative security architecture combines flexibility and scalability while strictly adhering to the specifications set forth by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). This solution can provide significant impetus to the digital transformation of public authorities and businesses.

As the IoT continues to expand, protection of connected critical infrastructures is becoming a vitally important task of huge societal relevance. secunet brings together multiple technologies to protect critical infrastructure against cyber attacks. A dedicated solution for edge computing ensures secure networking of machines, including older ones, provides a platform for relevant applications, and enables services such as secure remote maintenance and remote administration. This is complemented by a specialist network monitoring system that detects attacks and takes into account regulations such as the IT Security Act 2.0 and the NIS2 Directive on IT and network security.

secunet’s security monitoring solution for industrial facilities harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence: by continuously analyzing network traffic and system activities, AI algorithms can identify unusual patterns and deviations from normal behavior. Machine learning allows the algorithms to learn the typical behavior of users and systems and recognize suspicious activities. AI also supports signature-based detection of known attack patterns. In some cases, it can respond automatically to identified threats by blocking suspicious connections or alerting administrators.

Financial Platforms: Reconciling security and the customer experience

Among the many industry and everyday trends regularly touted in the media, payment trends are frequently in the spotlight. Understandably so – after all, everyone needs to make payments. Sustainability, easy accessibility, personalization, and the convergence of physical and digital customer experiences have been identified by G+D as market issues that are currently of significance to consumers. There are also macro trends to consider, such as interaction and competition between payment ecosystems and the strengthening of national payment sovereignty through resilient payment systems that offer both cost efficiency and a seamless user experience.

Between payment sovereignty and customer convenience

In Europe in particular, the focus is increasingly on developing independent and resilient payment systems in order to counterbalance the influence of global players and adapt payment infrastructures to regional interests. Modernization of local systems, including through new security solutions, plays an important role here.

Mature card systems and digital payment options are therefore evolving rapidly to meet the demands of the digital age. Technologies such as tokenization and passkeys boost security in e-commerce and banking, while established local instant payment systems, such as UPI in India and PIX in Brazil, show how efficient and cost effective payments can be. These systems also offer huge potential for brick-and-mortar outlets in countries with a need for simple infrastructures, e.g., through the use of QR codes.

In this competition between systems, the “battle of the wallets” continues to escalate. Banks and other market players face the challenge of asserting their brand presence in a world that is increasingly dominated by big tech platforms. The opening up of the iOS ecosystem in 2024 – in the form of the contactless NFC channel on Apple phones – could be a turning point here. It gives banks and other issuers new opportunities to bolster their digital wallet strategies. G+D’s expertise and solutions in the field of tokenization and secure elements, which enable secure and seamless use, are particularly sought after.

Banks and consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability. G+D is committed to introducing appropriate solutions, such as payment card recycling, to reduce the environmental impact. In addition to the environment, social aspects also play a major role and likewise fall under the ESG banner. Accessibility is thus becoming more and more important when making payments. As a member of the Business Disability Forum, G+D works with partners such as Signapse AI, a company specializing in sign language translation using AI, to find accessible solutions. 

Personalization of payment methods is also increasing, in all areas. At the “lowest” level, in the wallet, personalization is supported by innovative cards made from wood, metal, ceramics, and recycled plastic. G+D launched such cards in 2024 or was already offering them. Moving up a level, banks can adapt and scale their products and services as required through the issuance-as-a-service concept developed by G+D and by deploying solutions that combine the advantages of the physical and digital worlds.

G+D provides payment products and services to eight of the top ten financial institutions worldwide, and every year more than 500 million consumers rely on contactless payment cards manufactured by G+D.

Trust as software – AI-supported and award-winning

When it comes to meeting digital payment requirements, trusted software plays a crucial role. Netcetera, G+D’s digital powerhouse, provides comprehensive end-to-end solutions for every payment requirement, be it by card, contactless, online, or mobile. New options made possible by artificial intelligence are also used.

One example is a highly secure solution that transforms information retrieval in companies with the aid of machine learning algorithms. It uses comprehensive language models to streamline interaction with PDFs, databases, FAQs, and websites. The platform goes far beyond simple AI experiments and delivers a productive application that generates immediate business value.

For over 30 years, companies have leveraged the expertise of G+D Netcetera in order to build digital trust. To take one example, G+D Netcetera has been working with Bank Cler since 2020 to develop the Zak app, a mobile neobanking solution. The steadily growing number of engaged customers highlights the popularity of this entirely digital service. And with the development of the Viseca one app, G+D Netcetera has created one of the best solutions in the Swiss market for managing credit, debit, and prepaid cards. The app has attracted more than 2.3 million registered users, with 1.3 million actively using it every month. It has also garnered multiple awards, including several Best of Swiss Apps awards.

Currency Technology: Cash – trustworthy and embedded in modern life

Cash is and will remain a crucial part of our everyday lives. Just think how fascinating and versatile a banknote is: widely available as a means of payment, easily accessible, simple to use, failsafe, and a source of stability for national economies. That’s why cash is trusted by people all over the world. In addition, national currencies are like a country’s “calling card” and a symbol of state sovereignty.

Contrary to popular belief, the volume of cash is actually rising worldwide, with nearly 700 billion banknotes currently in circulation around the globe. Not only will cash continue to exist in an increasingly digital world, there will soon be a digital version, with G+D bridging the gap between physical cash and a digital public currency.

Adaptability and innovation in the cash cycle

There are clear regional differences in the use of cash. These differences have an impact on the cash cycle, which means an adaptable cash infrastructure is required. For example, it must be capable of adjusting to increasing fluctuation in demand for coins and notes in order to guarantee a stable supply of cash for people whatever the circumstances. Systems designed for efficiency, and increasingly automated cash handling processes, ensure a resilient cash infrastructure, whether in normal day-to-day operation or in emergency situations such as during natural disasters and power outages. G+D is committed to advancing the automation and standardization of cash management through innovation, which allows us to offer highly efficient automated banknote processing of all types and sizes for central banks and commercial institutions around the world.

G+D’s expertise also covers the implementation of major cash infrastructure projects. An example of this is the completion of a fully equipped, highly automated cash center for Angola’s central bank to ensure the country’s supply of cash. G+D played the lead role in implementing this project at the national level. 

Banknotes: Spotlight on security and sustainability

A new generation of banknotes is setting benchmarks for environmentally friendly currencies by aiming to use fewer resources throughout the entire lifecycle. They have a smaller ecological footprint, which is achieved through optimization of the material composition and a longer service life. The banknote paper contains a high proportion of organic materials, while reduced use of plastic in security foils and threads and of oil-based inks in printing enables a more sustainable cash cycle. Instead of being destroyed at the end of their lifecycle, the threads from end-of-life banknotes are recycled using innovative technolog

Continuous advances in banknote and security technology are also crucial in order to prevent counterfeiting and guarantee the integrity of a currency. Cutting-edge G+D technologies that combine microscopic mirrors and nanostructures set new standards in banknote security. These developments bring together scientific innovation and high-quality design. They ensure that currencies are state of the art in terms of technology while simultaneously opening up new design possibilities.

Central bank digital currencies: The ultimate in trust!

In the future, people will be able to choose from an even wider selection of payment methods. Physical cash will be supplemented by a digital version – a state-issued digital currency that is secure and trustworthy. According to a survey, more than 130 countries are currently making preparations to introduce central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Trust is clearly a crucial factor for successfully introducing and circulating a digital currency. A well-designed CBDC must therefore serve the public interest: be secure, ensure privacy, be inclusive, and involve no fees. In fact, it should be just like physical cash. In addition, it is vital that it provides a reliable payment experience both online and offline and is just as failsafe as cash. There are already CBDC solutions that cover a variety of use cases, from QR code payments and online payments to offline person-to-person transactions.

Towards a secure and innovative future

The digitalization of trust is a crucial step in our modern, connected world. From digital identities and autonomous IoT transactions to the security of payment systems, trust needs to be built in digital contexts. G+D has positioned itself as a pioneer by driving forward security tech and developing solutions that boost trust across all levels of the digital ecosystem. The company is thus making an important contribution to digital security and efficiency.

Going forward, the development of a comprehensive digital trust ecosystem will be crucial. This requires input from citizens, industry networks, businesses, and state actors. Stakeholders must genuinely listen to people and respond to their needs and ideas. It is inherent in trust that we can only achieve it together, and mutual benefit is key. So let’s work together to tackle the challenge!