VA provides information on vet data theft
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hasrecently learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home electronicdata from the VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior wasin violation of VA policies. This data contained identifyinginformation including names, social security numbers, and dates ofbirth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as somedisability ratings. Importantly, the affected data did not include anyof VA’s electronic health records nor any financial information. Theemployee’s home was burglarized and this data was stolen. The employeehas been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of aninvestigation.
Appropriate lawenforcement agencies, including the FBI and the VA Inspector General’soffice, have launched full-scale investigations into this matter.Authorities believe it is unlikely the perpetrators targeted the itemsbecause of any knowledge of the data contents. It is possible that theyremain unaware of the information which they possess or of how to makeuse of it. However, out of an abundance of caution, the VA is takingall possible steps to protect and inform our veterans.
Read more at http://firstgov.gov/veteransinfo.shtml