Type and Scope of Trust Relationships in Collaborative Interactions in Distributed Environments

In this paper, we consider the modelling of trust relationships in distributed systems based on a formal mathematical structure. We discuss different forms of trust. In particular, we address the base level authentication trust at the lower layer with a hierarchy of trust relationships at a higher level. Then we define and discuss trust direction and symmetric characteristics of trust for collaborative interactions in distributed environments. We define the trust scope label in order to describe the scope and diversity of trust relationship under our taxonomy framework. We illustrate the proposed definitions and properties of the trust relationships using example scenarios. The discussed trust types and properties will form part of an overall trust taxonomy framework and they can be used in the overall methodology of life cycle of trust relationships in distributed information systems that is currently in the process of development.