Reflecting on Success of our Competence Center Digital Trust in 2025 and the Road Ahead
The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for the Competence Centre Digital Trust (CCDT) at FHNW School of Business. Our activities across research, education, innovation, and outreach demonstrate both the breadth and depth of our engagement in advancing digital trust at national and international levels.
Research and Project Portfolio
In 2025, CCDT strengthened its research portfolio with 6 new projects and maintained 8 active projects, supported by a vibrant network of more than 35 active consortium partners. This growing ecosystem reflects our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact.
Our research acquisition efforts resulted in 22 project proposals submitted, achieving a proposal success rate of 39%, a strong indicator of the relevance and competitiveness of our research agenda.
Funding was successfully secured from a diverse range of sources, including Swiss instruments such as Innosuisse, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Movetia, Hasler Stiftung, SNIS, and Leading House Africa, as well as European programmes such as Erasmus+, Interreg, and the Digital Europe Programme.
| RESEARCH | |
|---|---|
| # new Projects | 6 |
| # active Projects | 8 |
| # active consortiums partners | > 35 |
| # of proposals submitted | 22 |
| % proposal success rate | 39% |
| RESEARCH ACQUISITION | |
|---|---|
| CH: Innosuisse, SNF, Movetia, Hasler, SNIS, LH Africa, Other | 17 (3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3) |
| EU: Erasmus, Interreg, Digital Europe Programme | 5 (1, 3, 1) |
Publications and Outreach
CCDT researchers produced approximately 20 peer‑reviewed publications and 20 outreach publications and presentations, contributing to both scientific excellence and societal relevance. Our outreach activities reached a wide and diverse audience:
- Children and youth: around 50 participants through Kids@Children University and Zukunftstag.
- Researchers: approximately 200 participants at venues such as the CAiSE Blockchain Workshop and international academic conferences.
- Practitioners and policy stakeholders: over 3,250 participants through Digital Trust Day, the Federal Audit Office, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the podcast Angriffslustig, the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building, and leadership forums.
- Women in tech: 20 participants at the SheLeadsTech co‑event.
| PUBLICATIONS & OUTREACH | |
|---|---|
| peer reviewed team publications | ca. 20 |
| Outreach Presentations/Publications | ca. 20 |
| Kids@Children University/Zukunftstag | 50 |
| Researchers@CAiSE Blockchain Workshop & Conference Presentations | ca. 200 |
| Practitioners@DigitalTrustDay, Federal Audit Office, WEF, Podcast Angriffslustig, Global Conf. of Cyber Capacity Building, Leadership Forum | 3250 |
| Women@SheLeadsTech Co-Event | 20 |
Education Engagements
Education remains a core pillar of CCDT’s mission. In 2025, we delivered:
- 6 elective modules and more than 20 core or specialization modules across BSc, MSc, and Executive programmes.
- 5 newly designed modules, reflecting emerging topics in cybersecurity, digital trust, and resilience.
- 2 continuing education programmes executed, with 3 additional continuing education teaching engagements.
We reached an estimated over 800 students across our courses and supervised more than 60 students, contributing to capacity building and the development of future professionals in digital trust and cybersecurity.
| OUR EDUCATION ENGAGEMENTS (BSc, MSc, Executive) | |
|---|---|
| Elective Modules Executed | 6 |
| Core/Specialization Modules Executed | > 20 |
| New Modules Designed | 5 |
| Continuing Education Executed | 2 |
| Continuing Education Teaching Engagement | 3 |
| Students in our Courses (estimated) | > 800 |
| Student Supervisions (estimated) | > 60 |
Excellence, Recognition, and Community Building
CCDT’s commitment to excellence was recognized through the AC2025 Best Paper Award for student work. Our team contributed to the broader scientific community as advisors and reviewers for institutions and conferences such as the Africa Centre of Blockchain Research, EU EIT, DEXA, Information Systems, and HICSS. In terms of innovation and infrastructure, we advanced the development of the AI Digital Trust Radar, strengthening our methodological and analytical toolkit.
We also continued to invest in community building:
- Leadership of the Swiss‑Africa Cybersecurity Community.
- Membership in Enhance Research and SW Engineers.
- Hosting of major events, including the 5th Digital Trust Day and the 4th Spring School.
| EXCELLENCE | |
|---|---|
| Awards | AC2025 Best Paper Award (student work result) |
| Advisor/Reviewer | Africa Centre of Blockchain Research EU EIT, DEXA, Information Systems, HICSS |
| Tools | AI Digital Trust Radar |
| Communities | Lead of Swiss-Africa Cybersecurity Community Member of Enhance Research SW Engineers |
| Events hosted | 5th Digital Trust Day, 4th Spring School |