Collection of trusted certificates used by Relying Parties to authenticate other certificates. Source: NIST SP 800-32
What is trust list?
The term Trust List refers to a list of trusted certificates, certificate authorities, public keys, identities, or other trust anchors that a system accepts when validating authentication or signatures. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is trust list used in cryptography or COMSEC?
In practice, Trust List is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: a list of trusted certificates, certificate authorities, public keys, identities, or other trust anchors that a system accepts when validating authentication or signatures. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system.
Why does trust list need security controls?
Understanding Trust List matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to a list of trusted certificates, certificate authorities, public keys, identities, or other trust anchors that a system accepts when validating authentication or signatures.
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Collection of trusted certificates used by Relying Parties to authenticate other certificates. Source: NIST SP 800-32
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Trust List. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/trust-list
Sources
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High consensus
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Multi-source
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