Security Breach
In May 2006, a laptop computer containing unencrypted social security numbers of 26.5 million U.S. veterans was stolen from a Veterans Affairs analyst’s home. The analyst violated existing VA policy by removing the data from his workplace.
On 3 August 2006, a computer containing personal information in the clear on up to 38,000 veterans was stolen. The computer has since been recovered and on 5 August 2006, two men were charged with the theft. In early August 2006, a plan was announced to encrypt critical data on every laptop in the agency using disk encryption software.
Strict policies have also been enacted that require a detailed description of what a laptop will be used for and where it will be located at any given time. Encryption for e-mail had already been in use for some time but is now the renewed focus of internal security practices for sending e-mail containing patient information.
Read more about this topic: United States Department Of Veterans Affairs
Famous quotes containing the words security and/or breach:
“There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots. What is it? Distrust.”
—Demosthenes (c. 384–322 B.C.)
“But to my mind, though I am native here
And to the manner born, it is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)