trusted

Trusted describes someone or something that is reliable and worthy of confidence. A trusted person is considered dependable, honest, and capable of keeping promises. Trust is built through consistent behavior, competence, transparency, and the protection of confidential information. When trust exists, people and organizations are more likely to cooperate, share information, and delegate responsibility.

In law, trust also denotes a formal fiduciary arrangement. A settlor transfers property to a trustee to manage for the benefit of a beneficiary. Trusts are governed by contract and statute, with duties of loyalty, prudence, and accountability imposed on trustees, and they can specify how and when assets are distributed.

In information technology and security, trusted describes systems and components designed to operate securely and verifiably. Trusted computing aims to establish a trusted computing base, with concepts such as trusted boot and hardware-backed credentials like a trusted platform module. Attestation ensures that software and hardware have not been tampered with. Digital trust hinges on authentication, integrity, confidentiality, availability, and non-repudiation, often validated through standards, audits, and certifications.

Society and business seek trust through consistency, ethical conduct, quality, and compliance with norms and regulations. Brands and institutions may be labeled as trusted when they demonstrate reliable performance and undergo independent verification. Trust is fundamental to collaboration, commerce, and governance, yet it requires ongoing evidence and accountability to endure.