Security of Veterans’ Private Information Examined

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing that examined the security of veterans’ private information.

“Veterans need to know the information they submit to VA will not be compromised under any circumstances,” said Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (Arizona-01), the subcommittee’s ranking member. “Whether it’s reducing the claims backlog, system integration with the Defense Department on records, or safeguarding veterans’ private information, it’s critical that VA’s information security is second to none. Right now, I’m deeply concerned they don’t live up to that billing. Moving forward, I will work with my colleagues to hold VA to the highest standard.”

Hearing witnesses, former VA employees and the agency’s own inspector general have highlighted major deficiencies in VA’s information security protocols. Today’s hearing largely focused on two VA Office of Inspector General reports:

• Audit of Office of Information Technology’s Strategic Human Capital Management report no. 11-00324-20 dated October 29, 2012
• Review of Alleged Transmission of Sensitive VA Data Over Internet Connections report no. 12-02802-111 dated March 6, 2013