Nations Must Approach Cybersecurity with the "Intensity Once Reserved for Their National Security," Unisys Chairman and CEO Peter Altabef to Tell International Cybersecurity Experts

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybersecurity and national security are aggressively converging, resulting in an "imperative" for nations to "approach cybersecurity with the same foresight, effort and intensity once reserved for their national security," Unisys Chairman and CEO Peter Altabef will say to international cybersecurity experts gathered today at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in Menlo Park, Calif.

Under the theme of "The Global Convergence of NatSec and CyberSec: A National Cyber Moonshot," Altabef's remarks will come as part of a presentation he is scheduled to make to members of the EastWest Institute (EWI), a global network of influential stakeholders committed to and engaged in building trust and preventing conflict around the world. In addition, Mark Forman, vice president and global head of Public Sector, Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS), will discuss "The Smart City Manager's Guide to Cybersecurity and Resilience," a new set of recommendations for Smart City managers and executives on how to make a "Smart City" secure and safe by managing technology effectively.

"Peter Altabef is a leading voice in the increasingly critical global issue of cybersecurity. Our members are looking forward to hearing his views on the approach the U.S. should take to make the internet safer and more secure and what other nations can do to protect their citizens as well," said Bruce McConnell, global vice president, EWI. "We are also happy to be working with Mark Forman to help ensure that 'smart' cities provide substantially higher public safety and quality of life as they connect to IoT devices and smartphone-enabled technologies.

"It is a critical time in the global conversation around cyberspace safety and security. These initiatives and solutions will be important parts of the solution."

White House Cybersecurity Moonshot

Along with Mark McLaughlin, vice chairman of Santa Clara, Calif.-based Palo Alto Networks, Altabef is co-chair of the "Cybersecurity Moonshot" Subcommittee of the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). Founded in 1982 by President Reagan and an act of Congress, NSTAC is chartered to provide information and advice to the President with respect to national security and emergency preparedness, telecommunications, information and communications services (including emerging technologies, broadband, public safety, communications infrastructure security and resilience and cybersecurity).

The focus of the "Cybersecurity Moonshot" subcommittee is to develop a set of recommendations for a "whole of nation approach" – similar to the one once announced by President Kennedy for "landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth" by the end of the 1960s – for a safer, more resilient use of the Internet to deliver government and critical infrastructure services.

"A bolder, more encompassing vision is what is needed," said Altabef, who is scheduled with McLaughlin to present the recommendations to the White House on November 14. "That bolder approach will combine a strong technology roadmap, one comprehensive enough to address both current and potential future challenges, along with a host of other factors, such as behavioral dynamics and usability, protecting privacy, a strong ecosystem, education and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities to achieve success."

Increasing Silicon Valley Presence

Altabef's appearance at the EWI event serves to highlight the increasing presence of Unisys in Silicon Valley. The company opened its Santa Clara office in July 2017 to house its growing technology and marketing talent base, including Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ann Sung Ruckstuhl, a member of the Unisys senior leadership team.

Unisys clients based or with a major footprint in Silicon Valley include the California State University. Of note, the company provided security consulting services for Super Bowl 50.

About Unisys

Unisys is a global information technology company that builds high-performance, security-centric solutions for the most demanding businesses and governments on Earth. Unisys offerings include security software and services; digital transformation and workplace services; industry applications and services; and innovative software operating environments for high-intensity enterprise computing. For more information on how Unisys builds better outcomes securely for its clients across the Government, Financial Services and Commercial markets, visit www.unisys.com.   

Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder.

RELEASE NO.: 0914/9612

UIS-C

SOURCE Unisys Corporation

Related Links

http://www.unisys.com