Unisys Joins Boeing-led Team in Pursuit of Secure Border Initiative

Integration and management of information systems to enhance border security would be Unisys priority.

Singapore (PRWEB) July 1, 2006 –- Unisys Corp. today announced its participation in the pursuit of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SBInet, the first phase of the department’s three-pronged Secure Border Initiative (SBI). Prime contractor Boeing (NYSE: BA) leads the team.

SBI is a comprehensive programme that would strengthen security of the U.S. borders and help to reduce illegal immigration. Phase one, SBInet, would field a mix of people, processes, technology and infrastructure that would provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with an integrated border enforcement solution.

If the Boeing team is selected, Unisys would enable real-time information sharing that would help agents approach a situation with the appropriate resources and determine the proper law enforcement resolution for each person apprehended. Ultimately, Unisys would integrate biometric authentication into the system capabilities. Agents would be able to capture 10 finger prints from those they apprehend and compare the prints instantly with those stored in government databases.

Unisys would integrate, deploy and maintain the information systems necessary for CBP to predict, detect, identify, classify, respond, apprehend and process people who attempt illegal border crossings. In partnership with CBP’s Office of Information Technology, Unisys would provide systems and infrastructure that deliver information directly to agents and field officers and that enable collaboration with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners.

“Our plans include providing agents and officers with technology proven by law enforcement agencies,” said Greg Baroni, president, Federal Systems, Unisys. “That includes access to data on the current situation in the area of operations and to law enforcement databases,” he said.

Excellence in engineering, development, and speed of deployment of large scale systems are critical to SBInet and are core capabilities of both Boeing and Unisys. Each company was instrumental in the post- 9/11 deployment of nationwide security systems for homeland security.

“Unisys extensive experience delivering similar systems to 300 law enforcement and criminal justice agencies around the world, and their reliability providing IT to homeland security agencies – including CBP, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard and DHS headquarters – was the primary driver for including them on this team,” said Pam Drew, vice president, Integrated Defense and Security Systems, Boeing.

Information management is critical to fielding an integrated SBInet solution because it will put the right information in the right hands at the right time to improve apprehensions and officer safety, enhance cooperation within DHS and with other law enforcement entities, and support effective decision making at all levels of CBP and at DHS.

Unisys real-time infrastructure solutions enable clients to deploy an IT infrastructure that delivers the benefits of secure business operations: greater agility in IT management with minimised risks and higher availability, enhanced operational efficiency and improved cost control.

Robert C. Bonner, former CBP commissioner and Unisys consultant, said, “It’s essential that we secure U.S. borders both for national security reasons and to staunch illegal immigration. SBInet combines the technology, the infrastructure and improved processes that, in concert with the outstanding agents of the U.S. Border Patrol, will get us there.”

About Boeing
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer; a foremost developer of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

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 organisations 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.

About Unisys Asia Pacific
Unisys Asia Pacific helps clients eliminate business and IT complexity providing specialized services delivered by trusted consultants. Drawing on a history of industry innovation and expertise, Unisys Asia Pacific delivers services and solutions through subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand and through distributors or resellers in other countries in the region.

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