Trust management (information system)

In information system and information technology, trust management is an abstract system that processes symbolic representations of social trust, usually to aid automated decision-making process. Such representations, e.g. in a form of cryptographic credentials, can link the abstract system of trust management with results of trust assessment. Trust management is popular in implementing information security, specifically access control policies.

The concept of trust management has been introduced by Matt Blaze to aid the automated verification of actions against security policies. In this concept, actions are allowed if they demonstrate sufficient credentials, irrespective of their actual identity, separating symbolic representation of trust from the actual person.

Trust management can be best illustrated through the everyday experience of tickets. One can buy a ticket that entitles them e.g. to enter the stadium. The ticket acts as a symbol of trust, stating that the bearer of the ticket has paid for their seat and is entitled to enter. However, once bought, the ticket can be transferred to someone else, thus transferring such trust in a symbolic way. At the gate, only the ticket will be checked, not the identity of a bearer.