Unisys starts global forum for government, IT executives

Unisys Corp. has created a global forum to bring together leaders from government and the information technology industry to share ideas and best practices and discuss government operations.

The Center for Government Innovation will target government executives and IT professionals who can share ideas and experiences, learn about best practices in technology innovation and discuss the business and operation of government, according to a Unisys announcement today.

Although initially focused primarily on issues related to U.S. federal, state and local governments, Unisys officials say they expect the center will eventually address issues that cross the boundaries of regional and national governments.

The center will serve as a think tank and as a vehicle for research programs, white papers, webinars and executive roundtables on public sector management and technology issues.

In addition, the center will sponsor and conduct primary research in green computing, cybersecurity, physical security, secure information sharing, health IT, law enforcement and justice, enabling transparency in government, energy management, cloud computing and other emerging issues.

The center’s inaugural white paper focuses on identifying the “Government of the Future.” Issues covered in the report include the shift of workforce talent, the pervasiveness of security concerns and the changing political landscape.

Unisys has created a board of fellows to guide the center. The board is comprised of:

• William Bristow, former chief information officer, U.S. Forest Service and Food and Drug Administration.

• Kevin Carroll, former program executive officer for enterprise information systems, U.S. Army.;

• Stephen Colgate, former assistant attorney general, Justice Department.

• William Crowell, former deputy director, National Security Agency.

• William Hancock, retired vice admiral, U.S. Navy.

• Gregory Martin, retired General, Air Materiel Command, U.S. Air Force.

• Gregory Treverton, former vice chairman, National Intelligence Council and director of the Center for Global Risk and Security at the RAND Institute.

• Tony Valletta, former deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence.

• Amit Yoran, former director, National Cyber-Security Division, Homeland Security Department.

Unisys, of Blue Bell, Pa., ranks No. 26 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.