The cornerstone of a trust architecture lies in the recognition of the paramount importance of trust in human interactions. Individuals establish relationships with external entities, which, in turn, rely on the trust placed in them to maintain their integrity. This process involves purchasing and establishing mechanisms, drafting policies, and generating content. Without trust in individuals, a trust architecture cannot be effectively implemented.  To ensure success, define roles and responsibilities for individuals and groups, and categorize entities like staff, contractors, external advisors, and the board of directors. When assessing potential acts and their likelihood, consider the capabilities and intentions of the individuals involved. Tailor review times to the utilities they provide and the potential consequences of misuse or loss over time.

Organizations rarely operate in isolation. Suppliers, sub-contractors, customers, and other entities are associates, and their relationships are controllable. We evaluate them based on factors like size, makeup, location, and other relevant properties. We use non-disclosure agreements, legal processes, monitoring, service levels, acceptance testing, payment time frames, credit worthiness, and more to make initial and ongoing decisions about changing or maintaining relationships.

This information, produced and applied by people, entities, or mechanisms, leads to acts by the entity. It often includes intellectual property owned by the organization, internal communications, external information feeds, and data used for decision-making or producing valuable things. The provenance and trustworthiness of content determine its level of trustworthiness.

The technical infrastructure, policies, process definitions, and organizational standards are part of this. External and internal mechanisms control different levels and means of control. Power, for instance, moves physical things and can be supplied by various processes. Our decisions about power sources determine our ability to control different aspects of it.