Customer experience lives or dies on trust. As part of the CX Awards 2026, the Trust layer recognizes the data platforms, privacy and compliance solutions, and resilient infrastructure that keep customer relationships safe, compliant, and dependable.
The urgency around trust has never been higher. With global searches for AI identity fraud surging nearly 4,000% over the past year, generative AI has made it incredibly easy for bad actors to bypass traditional human verification checks. At the same time, the rapid deployment of autonomous enterprise AI agents is introducing entirely new operational and regulatory vulnerabilities, as seen in recent high-profile security incidents.
For CX leaders, trust is no longer just a compliance checkbox; it is an urgent operational requirement. Organizations must now deploy infrastructure and governance that operate at machine-speed - securing customer data and verifying identities without adding unnecessary friction to the customer journey.
Here is a closer look at the three categories within the Trust layer, including exactly what our judging panel is looking for in a winning submission.
Best Data Platform for CX
Customer data handled effectively and responsibly.
This category recognizes the platform that enables a demonstrably effective and responsible approach to customer data - turning data into better experiences without losing customer trust.
What the judges want to see:
"Tell the judges how your platform connects data to the customer. How is data collected, unified, governed, and put to work — and what has it made possible that wasn't before? The best entries balance ambition with responsibility."
Who should enter:
- Customer data platform vendors
- Data management and governance providers
- CX data infrastructure vendors
Best Privacy and Compliance Solution
Turning trust and compliance into competitive advantage.
Customers are more aware of their data rights than ever, and regulators are more active. This category recognizes the privacy, security, or compliance solution that builds customer trust through rigorous data governance - protecting customers while enabling, not blocking, great experiences.