One of the first federal institutions to operate and maintain a public gopher site and a public web site, the Institute is a firm believer in the important role of information technology. The Office of Information and Communications Technology Services is a cornerstone in the Institute's research, outreach, and other programs--providing an array of services both for internal operations and for reaching out to the Institute's global audience.

Information and Communications Technology Services is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Institute's information systems; developing, implementing, and enforcing policies and practices that enable smooth operation of these systems; and advising senior management on related issues. This includes supporting the Institute's electronic outreach capabilities (which currently include the Institute's web site, live audio and video Internet broadcasts, e-mail lists, and fax broadcasting services) as well as maintenance of the Institute's mission-critical data and ongoing development of data management applications used to assist the Institute in completing its missions.

Information and Communications Technology Services, together with the Institute's Jeannette Rankin Library Program, also heads-up the Institute's Virtual Diplomacy Initiative. Created in 1997, the Virtual Diplomacy Initiative seeks to expand innovative thinking and disseminate knowledge about the impact of the global information revolution on international conflict management through conferences, meetings, grants, publications, and other outreach vehicles.

Other tasks handled by Information and Communications Technology Services include providing assistance for Institute departments in handing day-to-day application and software questions, management of Institute's staff information technology training needs, and supporting the Institute's presence on the World Wide Web.

For further information about the Institute's Information and Communications Technology Services activities, please contact Sheryl Brown, Chief Information Officer, at (202) 429-3821.

Director: Sheryl Brown, phone: 202.429.3821

System Designer and Network Specialist: David Verdin, phone: 202.429.3856

Assistant: Kuimba Boston