Unisys Proposes Global Identity Authentication Policies at 15th World Congress on Information Technology

Congress Delegates to Vote on Recommendations for Standardized Security and Privacy Practices and Procedures

AUSTIN, Texas, May 3, 2006 – Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today introduced policy proposals designed to help create global standards and practices for identity authentication and credentialing. Unisys submitted the proposals to delegates attending the 15th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006) here, who will later put each proposal to a vote.



A rapid convergence of security issues among businesses, governments and consumers worldwide, combined with the growing debate around individual privacy, has created an urgent need for identity authentication standards. Validating one’s identity is something people do everyday, from logging on to computer networks, conducting online banking transactions, navigating airport security, and crossing borders, yet very little global coordination exists in identity management business practices and procedures.



“Establishing ID authentication standards can have a profound global social and economic impact, and play a significant role in helping organizations better secure their business operations,” Unisys President and CEO Joseph W. McGrath said. “Moreover, standards can encourage additional security and convenience, enhanced efficiency, and reduced costs across a multitude of daily interactions among consumers, businesses and government agencies. Unisys looks forward to driving a spirited debate on an issue that ultimately would influence how and why people share personal information with organizations around the world.”



The Unisys proposals represent the first attempt to create a diverse and impartial consortium that would develop standardized business procedures for worldwide identity authentication. The end goal is to create a baseline for adoptable global practices, allowing ID credentials to operate across international borders and encourage confidence and trust from organizations and individuals around the world.



WCIT’s goal is to make specific, actionable policy recommendations to the global IT community. The Congress delegates will vote on the Unisys proposals following presentations on related issues. McGrath will keynote, addressing the need to redefine security to meet today’s changing consumer and marketplace demands. In addition, he will participate in a panel discussion on identity authentication with leading private and public sector security experts.



Unisys Policy Proposals

* Policy #1: International business and government communities must collaborate to define and promote global standards for the development of internationally trusted, interoperable baseline electronic credentials used to authenticate, with appropriate levels of assurance, a person’s identity. Organizations should be able to incorporate credentials based on these standards into both new and existing instruments of identity authentication – such as e-passports, national ID cards, driver’s licenses, and credit cards.
* Policy #2: Standards for electronic credentials must be built on the business processes for authentication and not just the underlying core technologies. They should promote common approaches for how organizations across different industries create credentials and use them within their various business and government operations. Therefore, standards must address data elements, verification procedures and management requirements necessary to create credentials protected by design and ongoing maintenance from tampering and misuse. Standard practices must accommodate varying organizational identity management requirements ranging from one- to three-factor authentication.
* Policy #3: To address privacy concerns and foster a climate of consumer confidence and trust, organizations issuing electronic credentials must demonstrate and publicize the safeguards used to protect an individual’s personal information. Furthermore, organizations must adhere to a code of conduct, based on best practices, that requires them to clearly define and present to the public the uses of and benefits from electronic credentialing prior to requesting any personal data necessary to create these instruments.

In developing its proposals, Unisys conducted primary global research to study consumers’ views on privacy and security issues. The study reveals that a majority of individuals worldwide would share personal data if they knew the end user will securely protect their information and they can perceive a clear benefit in convenience gained. The research also points to preferable methods of technology for identity verification, among other pertinent findings. View a summary of the survey results.




About WCIT
The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006) draws approximately 2,000 global thought leaders and decision makers from 80 countries, including Fortune 100 CEO’s, NGO Presidents, Foreign Ministers, Nobel Laureates, University Chancellors and leading R&D Scientists. Leaders from business, government and academia will discuss IT policy, direct the future of technology and drive social and economic development. The focus of WCIT 2006 is on macro issues around IT innovation and making a positive impact on human lives.



WCIT 2006 officials are collaborating with officials in countries around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Kingdom and Uruguay to build partnerships, recruit delegates, and build awareness for the event.



World Congress forums have been held in international cities such as Taipei, Taiwan (2000), Adelaide, Australia (2002) and Athens, Greece (2004). The World Congress is held every two years on a different continent and is the signature forum of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), a consortium of 67 information technology (IT) industry associations that represents over 90% of the world’s IT market. WCIT 2006, Inc, a non-profit 501 6(C) organization, is headquartered in Austin, Texas.


About Unisys
Unisys is a worldwide technology services and solutions company. Our consultants apply Unisys expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure, and server technology to help our clients achieve secure business operations. We build more secure organizations by creating visibility into clients’ business operations. Leveraging Unisys 3D Visible Enterprise, we make visible the impact of their decisions – ahead of investments, opportunities and risks. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

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Danielle D’Angelo

Unisys Corporation

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