Fergie's Tech Blog

Another VA Breach Affects 1,600 Veterans in N.Y.

Dan Kaplan writes on SC Magazine Online:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is again warning veterans their identity may be at risk following the theft of an unencrypted laptop from the agency's New York Harbor Healthcare System.

The breach affects veterans who receive pulmonary care at the hospital, according to an Oct. 20 letter to veterans, released Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. The computer, stored in a locked room at the time of the theft, contained personal information, including names, Social Security numbers and diagnosis data, the letter said.

About 1,600 veterans were affected by the Sept. 6 theft, VA spokeswoman Jo Shuda told SCMagazine.com. She was unsure if the laptop was encrypted. Duplicate patient listings incorrectly placed the number of affected vetersans at 2,400 earlier in the day, according to VA officials.

posted by Fergie @ 11/02/2006 10:37:00 AM