VA PROMOTES TEAMWORK ON CYBERSECURITY (06-10-08)   VA's information security law and its centralized environment are unlike the experience at most other large agencies.

UPDATE: WALTER REED DATA BREACH IS PEER-TO-PEER (06-04-08)   Unauthorized file-sharing is to blame for the data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly 1,000 patients.

DATA BREACH AT WALTER REED (06-03-08)   Names, Social Security numbers, birth dates and other information on about 1,000 patients was accessed, hospital officials said.

VA CLAIMS IT HAS MADE PROGRESS IN DATA SECURITY (03-26-08)   VA has performed 40 percent of the 400 actions it outlined in its action plan in the wake of a major data breach in May 2006.

VET CHARGED IN THEFT OF COMPUTERS FROM INDIANAPOLIS VA HOSPITAL (03-19-08)   Data on one of the missing computers included names, Social Security numbers and other personal information of 12,000 patients at the hospital.

THIS TIME A STOLEN VA LAPTOP IS CAUGHT IN THE SAFETY NET (03-04-08)   Department's mobile data security policies and practices prevented information breach.

GAO REPORT: GOVERNMENT'S IDENTITY THEFT EFFORTS LACKING (02-23-08)   Most of the two dozen federal agencies examined had not implemented five federal recommendations aimed at protecting personal information.

UPDATE: FBI OFFERS REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON VA COMPUTER THEFT (11-29-07)   Stolen Indianapolis VA computers prompt $10,000 reward offer from feds.

UPDATE ON COMPUTER THEFTS AT INDIANAPOLIS VA HOSPITAL (11-21-07)   One of the computers has sensitive information on it affecting about 12,000 veterans and their social security numbers.

COURT RULES VETERANS CAN SUE VA OVER STOLEN LAPTOP (11-18-07)   "The government's own evidence raises serious questions about the VA's computer safeguards."

VA AUDITOR STEALS VETERANS' SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS (11-18-07)   Authorities find 1.8 million SSNs, but VA says only 185,000 numbers are at risk.

VA LOSES THREE COMPUTERS LOADED WITH PATIENT RECORDS (11-16-07)   Computers stolen from VA hospital in Indianapolis over Veterans Day weekend.

VA PUTS NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNAL AFFAIRS UNIT ON FAST GROWTH TRACK (09-28-07)   Last year's laptop theft has led to the creation of a fast-growing unit that is charged with keeping an eye on IT at the VA.

VA DATA SECURITY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRESS TO ACCELERATE IN 2008 (09-28-07)   Robert Howard, VA's CIO: "We expect to see dramatic improvement in 2008."

NEW GAO REPORT SAYS VETERANS' DATA STILL AT RISK (09-20-07)   "...Unnecessary risk exists that the personal information of veterans and others, such as medical providers, will be exposed to data tampering, fraud and inappropriate disclosure."

WITH THE LOSS OF ONE LAPTOP... (09-19-07)   Some lessons from a former VA general counsel who learned the hard way.

UPDATE: VA MISSING MILLIONS IN COMPUTER GEAR (07-25-07)   Agency can't account for dozens of computers and hard drives containing personal information on veterans.

GAO REPORT: VETERANS' DATA STILL AT RISK (07-25-07)   A weak overall control environment...poses a significant security vulnerability to the nation’s veterans with regard to sensitive data.

RICK ROMLEY REJOINS VA DATA LOSS PROBE (07-12-07)   Former Maricopa County Attorney will rejoin efforts to investigate the theft of 26.5 million veterans' personal information.

VA EMPLOYEE TRIED TO MASK EXTENT OF LATEST DATA BREACH (07-11-07)   An IG computer forensic analysis prompted him to admit to taking actions to hide the extent of the missing data.

VA'S INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT BLASTS BIRMINGHAM HOSPITAL FOR DATA LOSS (06-30-07)   The employee lied to investigators and deleted files from his computer in an effort to hide the magnitude of the problem. Data was not protected by passwords or encryption, could be used to commit Medicare billing fraud or identity theft, and the employee should never have had it in the first place.

VA SETS ASIDE $20 MILLION TO HANDLE LATEST DATA BREACH (06-16-07)   "The attitude of the VA right now is if we think we've put anybody's information at risk, then we need to step up to the plate and try to remedy that."

VA LIMITS USE OF PORTABLE DATA (06-07-07)   Device restrictions part of push to halt broader privacy breaches.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE VA'S DATA BREACH (06-04-07)   One year later, new security measures guard against a lapse like the VA's lost notebook.

VA DATA THEFT LETTERS GOING OUT TO VETERANS AND DOCTORS (05-16-07)   Birmingham data theft prompts VA to offer free credit monitoring. But, should you accept it?

GAO REPORT TARGETS DATA BREACH GUIDELINES (05-02-07)   Report says VA and other agencies need to know how and when to offer credit monitoring and other services to reduce the risk of identity theft.

EXACTLY WHOSE VA DATA WAS LOST IN THE ALABAMA HARD DRIVE THEFT? (03-17-07)   Jersey veteran gets "lost data" letter. Wants to know what a Alabama researcher was doing with his medical records.

VA BRASS COME UNDER FIRE ON CAPITOL HILL (03-02-07)   VA subcommittee on oversight angry about data security lapses.

GOVERNMENT GETS SERIOUS ABOUT VA'S LATEST STOLEN HARD DRIVE (02-23-07)   FBI offers $25,000 reward for drive with 1.8 million personal files.

VA SUSPENDS MEDICAL RESEARCH AT SEVEN CENTERS IN WAKE OF LATEST DATA LOSS (02-17-07)   Secretary Nicholson expresses anger with VA researchers who disregard data security rules.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST VA DATA LOSS (02-15-07)   A look at the questions that aren't being asked.

UPDATE: VA NOTIFYING 1.8 MILLION OF MISSING DATA (02-13-07)   Congress wants to know why it took the VA so long to start sending out letters.

UPDATE: VA'S MISSING DATA IS FROM NATIONWIDE RESEARCH AND NOT CONFINED TO ALABAMA (02-12-07)   VA calls it standard research on improvement of healthcare.

LATEST VA DATA THEFT WORSE THAN FIRST REPORTED (02-11-07)   Stolen drive contains personal data on 535,000 individuals and over 1.3 million physicians.

VA LOSES ANOTHER COMPUTER HARD DRIVE THAT MAY CONTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION (02-03-07)   External drive is missing from Birmingham VA Medical Center. Initial reports say drive contains records of 48,000 veterans and 20,000 files were not encrypted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VA INSTALLS ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE ON THOUSANDS OF COMPUTERS (09-28-06)   VA attempting to better protect sensitive information against misuse.

RIGHT QUESTION NEVER ASKED ON THEFT OF VA INFORMATION (09-18-06)   Opinion from Vietnam veteran Dennis Hahnemann.

VA'S "OTHER STOLEN COMPUTER" IS RECOVERED (09-16-06)   Desktop computer from Unisys office "found" by FBI and VAOIG.

CONGRESSMAN SAYS VA DATA THEFT RISK IS ACCEPTABLE (09-06-06)   Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) tells vets' meeting that VA data theft risk is worth the benefits provided to veterans.

UNISYS OFFERS $50,000 REWARD FOR RETURN OF ITS PC WITH VA DATA (08-14-06)   Files on more than 38,000 veterans are still "on the loose."

CENTRALIZATION REBORN (08-10-06)   Proponents of centralizing VA's information technology are gaining ground.

VA CONTRACTS WITH FIRM TO CONDUCT DATA BREACH ANALYSIS (08-10-06)   ID Analytics will analyze VA data and compare it to its fraud prevention system.  Will provide free reports to veterans and VA if suspicious activity is found.

38,000 VETS TO GET FREE CREDIT MONITORING (08-10-06)   Unisys to pay for reports for one year.

UPDATE: STAND BY YOUR MAN (08-09-06)   House and Senate Vets' Chairs stand by VA Secretary Nicholson.  This is a surprise?

DEMS: VA SECRETARY NICHOLSON MUST RESIGN (08-09-06)   Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) cites "incompetence" in wake of latest VA data theft.

VA SUBCONTRACTOR LOSES PERSONAL DATA OF 38,000 VETERANS (08-08-06)   Unisys office in Virginia reports "missing" desktop computer with veterans' data.

UPDATE:  VA DATA ANALYST IDENTIFIED IN NEWS STORY (08-06-06)   Wayne Johnson, GS-14.

TWO TEENS ARRESTED IN VA LAPTOP THEFT (08-06-06)   Teenagers in custody and charges pending against a third male who is a juvenile.

MORE EMAIL SCAMS TARGETING VETERANS (08-02-06)   Phony web sites and 1-900 phone numbers go after vets' money and personal information.

IDENTITY THEFT HITS HOME: DETER, DETECT, DEFEND AND BE PREPARED (08-02-06)   Excellent ID theft advice from Army Captain David Whitman.

NOMINEE TO HEAD VA POLICY OFFICE PLEDGES TO PROTECT SENSITIVE DATA (07-28-06)   Patrick Dunne says he'll take charge from day one.


ANOTHER SCAM AIMED AT VETERANS (07-27-06)   Telephone scam could cost vets dollars and personal information.

NICHOLSON OPPOSES MAKING VA CIO AN UNDERSECRETARY (07-22-06)   "The title you give someone, that's not going to fix anything."

NICHOLSON SAYS LITTLE RISK TO VETERANS' DATA (07-21-06)   VA Secretary says, "Facts have changed, the situation has changed."

VA'S #1 ATTORNEY RESIGNS IN WAKE OF DATA THEFT DEBACLE (07-19-06)   VA's General Counsel, Tim McClain, returns to private sector.  McClain was criticized for not allowing centralized authority for the VA's CIO.  McClain's departure opens the door to privatizing VA's healthcare software.

BILL WOULD TRANSFORM VA CYBERSECURITY (07-19-06)   "You could use this as a model and move it out to other agencies as quickly as possible."

WHITE HOUSE WITHDRAWS FREE CREDIT MONITORING OFFER FOR VETERANS (07-18-06)   Also withdraws request for $160 million in funding for credit monitoring program.  "On the basis of the FBI's analysis, the administration has concluded that credit monitoring services and the associated funding will no longer be necessary."

NEW FBI REPORT SAYS VETERANS' DATA UNHARMED, MAYBE (07-14-06)   G-men are just "highly confident" that files "were not compromised."

UPDATE: VA'S IG REPORT ON STOLEN LAPTOP PUTS BLAME NEAR THE TOP (07-12-06)   Blame goes up chain-of-command to Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield.

VA INSPECTOR GENERAL RELEASES REPORT ON LAPTOP THEFT (07-12-06)   Veterans' data was on external drive and not protected in any way.  Data analyst did not have need or permission to take data home at time of theft -- He was working on a "project" of his own invention.  And...the list goes on...

BRITISH WEB SITE CLAIMS STOLEN VA LAPTOP BOUGHT OFF "BACK OF A TRUCK" (07-07-06)   Cites Pete Williams of NBC News as source of information.

THIEVES' INDIFFERENCE MAY MEAN VA LAPTOP'S DATA IS SECURE, MAYBE (07-02-06)   There are ways to steal data without leaving traces.

COURT SAYS VA CAN PUBLICIZE CREDIT MONITORING OFFER (07-01-06)   Although it may be a moot point if experts say veterans' data not accessed.

VA EFFORTS TO BOLSTER LAPTOP SECURITY STYMIED BY LAWSUITS (07-01-06)   The agency's been ordered not to make changes to the laptops.

VA'S CYBER-SECURITY CHIEF GRANTS INTERVIEW AFTER RESIGNING (07-01-06)   Says he had an impossible job.  And, VA gives IT security authority to CIO.

VA'S CYBER-SECURITY CHIEF RESIGNS (06-30-06)   Pedro Cadenas Jr. says his resignation is not related to laptop theft.
SOME VETS STILL WANT CREDIT MONITORING (06-30-06)   Until FBI proves no data lost.

VA RECORDS MISSING FROM INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL OFFICE (06-30-2006)   Backup tape contains information on more than 16,000 veterans.

LATEST ON FOUND VA LAPTOP (06-30-06)   Laptop delivered to FBI -- No arrest was made.

NEW VA DATA THEFT REVEALED (06-29-06)   Indianapolis TV station reports a backup data tape is missing from the VA's Regional Counsel office.  Tape contains identities of veterans including names, date of birth, Social Security numbers, medical records and more than 16,538 legal cases.

FBI SAYS VETERANS' DATA SAFE (06-29-06)   Investigation shows data files not accessed.

VA DATA ANALYST HAD PERMISSION TO TAKE HOME FILES (06-29-06)   Documents show VA data analyst received permission in 2002 to take home a laptop and veterans' personal information.  Data analyst is now challenging his dismissal from VA.

STOLEN VA LAPTOP FOUND! (06-29-06)   VA Secretary Nicholson says laptop has been found and there have been NO reports of identity theft.

WHITE HOUSE DETAILS OFFSET FUNDING FOR VETS' CREDIT MONITORING PROGRAM (06-29-06)   Monies to come from VA budget, food stamps, student loans, youthful offenders and other programs.

EXPERTS TO FORM ID THEFT RESEARCH CENTER (06-28-06)   Will include IBM, FBI, Secret Service and Carnegie Mellon University.

OMB SETS GUIDELINES FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEE LAPTOP SECURITY (06-28-06)   At the top of the list is encryption for all critical data.

NICHOLSON CONFIRMS SOME VA FUNDS TO BE USED FOR VETS' CREDIT MONITORING PROGRAM (06-28-06)   Money will come from Benefits budget but VA chief says that will not reduce benefits.  But, it will slow them down.

WHITE HOUSE MAY SEEK $160 MILLION TO PAY FOR VA'S CREDIT MONITORING...BUT... (06-27-06)   Why is there always a "but?"  According to reports, the money will come from offsets...$30 million from the VA budget...and the other $130 million from other agencies.

ID THEFT: MORE HYPE THAN HARM (06-26-06)   Law enforcement officials say the criminals tend not to follow through after stealing personal data.

WHO PAYS FOR THE VA'S DATA DEBACLE? (06-25-06)   The VA has a solution. But, that solution is estimated to cost $100-500 million and the VA plans to pay with existing funds they will raid from veterans’ healthcare and benefits programs. The VA has not asked for any additional funding.

U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE BLOCKS VA FROM PUBLICIZING VETERANS' CREDIT MONITORING PROGRAM (06-25-06)   Lawyers who have filed a class-action lawsuit contend that accepting the government's offer could jeopardize veterans' chance of winning more money in the privacy suit.

PAUL HACKETT CLAIMS VA'S CREDIT MONITORING COULD INTERFERE WITH CLASS-ACTION SUIT (06-24-06)   Worries vets may have to give up right to sue if they accept VA's deal.

PERSONAL INFORMATION OF 28,000 SAILORS AND FAMILIES POSTED ON INTERNET (06-24-06)   Names, dates-of-birth and Social Security numbers have now been removed.

NEW EMAIL SCAM TARGETING VETERANS IN WAKE OF VA DATA THEFT (06-23-06)   "Phishing" scam uses phony VA email address to get veterans to provide personal information.

SENATE COMMITTEE OKs $160 MILLION FOR VETERANS' ID THEFT (06-23-06)   Senators Murray and Byrd push through funding.  Money will not come out of VA budget if full Senate approves.  Want to know who supports vets?  Watch for the vote on this bill.

HOUSE PANEL OKs OFFICE TO COMPENSATE VETS FOR ID THEFT (06-23-06)   The Office of Veterans Identity Protection Claims is coming.

VETS TO GET "FREE" CREDIT MONITORING FROM THE VA -- BUT, WHO WILL PAY FOR IT? (06-22-06)   One year of "free" credit monitoring to be funded out of VA's budget unless something changes.  What services will be cut to pay for this?

UPDATE: VA ANNOUNCES FREE CREDIT MONITORING PROGRAM FOR VETS IS IN THE WORKS (06-21-06)   VA will begin accepting bids for services -- Program should be in effect by mid-August.

REPORT: VA TO OFFER FREE CREDIT MONITORING TO VETS (06-21-06)   Government source says VA set to announce program.

VA SPENDS MORE THAN $14 MILLION HANDLING DATA BREACH (06-21-06)   The call center alone is costing $200,000 a day to operate.

VETERANS' BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION TIGHTENS DATA SECURITY (06-21-06)   VBA is thoroughly examining every aspect of their information security program.

SEN. CRAIG OFFERS BOGUS BILL TO "HELP" VETERANS WITH ID THEFT (06-21-06)   Amendment would give VA Secretary the option to have vets pay for credit services.

ENCRYPTION IS A SIMPLE TOOL TO PROTECT DATA (06-18-06)   So, why didn't the VA data analyst have encrypted files?

FREE CREDIT MONITORING PROPOSED FOR VETERANS (06-18-06)   HR 5487 would require the VA to provide six months of free credit monitoring.

SEARCH INTENSIFIES FOR VA'S MISSING LAPTOP (06-17-06)   Cops are going door-to-door and handing out flyers.

CINCINNATI VETERAN MAY BE VICTIM OF ID THEFT (06-17-06)   Somebody in Florida charged $1,500 on his credit card.

VA DATA SECURITY POLICIES LACK ENFORCEMENT TEETH (06-16-06)   Legislators says VA regs are "light on enforcement."

DoD WORKING TO IDENTIFY TROOPS AFFECTED BY VA DATA THEFT (06-16-06)   "The problem might be less than first reported."

PRIVATE CONTRACTOR SAYS THEY WERE HIRED BY VA TO ANALYZE STOLEN DATA (06-16-06)   Just what we need, another set of eyes on our personal information.

VA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY GAPS EXTEND TO OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS (06-15-06)   Offshore contractor threatened to expose 30,000 vet's medical records.

JOKE OF THE DAY: WHITE HOUSE GIVES VA COMPUTER AWARD (06-15-06)   VA honored for buying "green" PCs.

VA IGNORES CYBERSECURITY WARNINGS (06-15-06)   House panel grills GAO and VA Inspector General witnesses.

GAO: VA LEADERSHIP NEEDED TO ADDRESS INFORMATION SECURITY WEAKNESSES AND PRIVACY ISSUES (06-15-06)

GAO SAYS VA DATA THEFT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN (06-14-06)   Cites ignored warnings, weak management and lax rules. VA routinely failed to control and monitor employee access to private information.

REP. BOB FILNER BLASTS VA OFFICIALS: "YOU GUYS F***ED IT UP." (06-14-06)   "Stop covering your ass and figure it out."  Filner wants answers and free credit monitoring for veterans.

AN UNCONSCIONABLE ACT (06-13-06)   AMRA's Ed Lawton on the VA data heist.

WEB SITE OFFERS VETERANS INFORMATION ON IDENTITY THEFT PROGRAM (06-13-06)   Great information from the Better Business Bureau.

NO MORE PERSONAL CPUs CAN ACCESS VA PRIVATE NETWORK (06-12-06)   Nicholson lays down the law.

DATA THEFT COULD SLOW VA RESEARCH PROGRAM (06-10-06)   VA says genetic research would have built-in safeguards.

VETERAN'S CHECK MIXUP NOT RELATED TO VA DATA THEFT (06-10-06)   VA says this all happened before laptop was stolen.

ANOTHER LAW FIRM JOINS CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE VA FOR DATA THEFT (06-10-06)   Portland, Oregon firm jumps into the fray.

AMERICAN LEGION SAYS A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE VA IS NOT THE ANSWER (06-10-06)   Urges veterans to give the VA a chance to resolve the data theft problem.

NICHOLSON HOLDS CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH HOUSE GOP (06-10-06)   Other House Members outraged they were not included in briefing on VA data theft.

STEVE BUYER SAYS VA MAY NEED TO CREATE CLAIMS PROCESS FOR ID THEFT (06-09-06)   House Vets' Chair will hold four hearings this month.

VETERAN FEARS VA CHECK WAS TAKEN WITH VA DATA (06-09-06)   Ohio vet has VA check put into another bank account.

POLICE BELIEVE VA COMPUTER WAS NOT STOLEN FOR DATA (06-09-06)   Think they were young burglars just looking for laptops.

NICHOLSON SEEKS PENALTIES FOR MISHANDLING PERSONAL DATA (06-09-06)   But, says it's hard to impose sanctions on civil service workers.

NICHOLSON NOW SAYS HE CAN'T RULE OUT A WIDER VA DATA BREACH (06-09-06)   Contents of one disk still a mystery.

NICHOLSON CUTS BACK ON VA TELEWORK (06-09-06)   Speculates that VA data may have been erased by thieves.

VETERANS' DATA DEBACLE: A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY (06-09-06)   One man's disaster is another's opportunity.

TWO VETERANS FALL VICTIM TO IDENTITY THEFT (06-08-06)   At this time, there is no way to know if these incidents are related to the VA data heist.

NICHOLSON BANS PERSONAL LAPTOPS FROM ACCESSING VA NETWORK (06-08-06)   VA Secretary says security fixes will take time.

VA TO RECALL ALL AGENCY LAPTOPS (06-08-06)   Secretary Nicholson will announce move before House Committee.  What is on these laptops that worries Nicholson so much that he has to recall them?

HERE'S THE ANSWER TO: WHY THIS AND WHY NOW? -- OBSERVERS SAY MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE CONTRIBUTED TO VA DATA THEFT (06-08-06)

DoD DATA CENTER WORKED OVERTIME ON STOLEN VA DATA FILES (06-08-06)   Worked over the weekend to find out who was on stolen files.

DEMS LASH OUT OVER VA DATA THEFT (06-08-06)   Senators Murray, Leahy and Reed demand accountability.

VA DATA THEFT AFFECTED MOST MILITARY MEMBERS (06-07-06)   National security concerns raised.

VA LETTER GOING OUT TO VETERANS NOTIFYING OF DATA THEFT (06-07-06)   IRS is doing the mailing.  Don't get too excited -- there's nothing in the letter you don't already know.

VA NOW SAYS MORE THAN TWO MILLION ACTIVE-DUTY NAMES ON STOLEN DATA FILES (06-07-06)   Figure not 50,000 as originally reported.

SECOND CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR DATA THEFT FILED AGAINST VA (06-06-06)   A coalition of veterans' groups seeks damages.

THE VA DATA HEIST: WHY THIS AND WHY NOW? (06-06-06)   VA insiders don't like the timing of the data heist and the changes it could bring.

"PHISHING" FOR VETERANS (06-06-06)   Veterans' Benefits Administration (VBA) warns of attempts to get veterans to hand over personal information.  Don't give any information to anyone claiming to be the VA.

DETAILS OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST VA FOR DATA THEFT (06-04-06)   Read the entire document.  Asks for at least $1,000 for every person on the VA's stolen database and would require VA to pay for credit monitoring services.

IDs OF ACTIVE-DUTY PERSONNEL ON STOLEN VA LAPTOP (06-04-06)   Up to 50,000 active Navy and National Guard IDs in database.  When are we going to get the whole truth on this debacle?

ID-THEFT INSURANCE TARGETING VETERANS (06-04-06)   Vets should examine offers closely and check into what may be available for free.

THIRTY HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR REVIEW OF VA'S MEDICAL RECORDS PRIVACY COMPLIANCE (06-03-06)   Thirty health organizations ask DHHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to undertake a compliance review of the VA.

SECURITY BLOG: THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE VA DATA HEIST (06-03-06)   Is there a silver lining in the cloud that hangs over millions of veterans?

CONGRESSMAN SAYS VETS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED AFTER DATA HEIST (06-02-06)   Rep. Bob Filner says "White House has washed its hands of the matter."

TELEWORK BLAMED IN RECENT VA DATA LOSS (06-02-06)   Telework advocates say the data breach is not a telework issue.

PANEL TO EXAMINE VA COMPUTER SECURITY PRACTICES (06-01-06)   "The technology exists today to secure this information."

VA DATA IN FORMAT NOT WIDELY USED (06-01-06)   Special software and training needed to view stolen files.

FORMER ARIZONA COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ADVISE VA AFTER DATA THEFT (06-01-06)   Rick Romley gets three-month contract to investigate.

CONGRESSMAN ACCUSES VA OF COVERUP IN DATA HEIST (06-01-06)    Rep. Joseph Crowley says VA brass withheld information on data theft for 13 days.

FORMER VA IT CHIEF SAYS AGENCY LACKED INFORMATION ACCESS CONTROLS (06-01-06)   Robert McFarland speaks out about VA data heist.

STOLEN VA DATA INCLUDED ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF MANY VETERANS (05-31-06)   Medical diagnostic codes also included with many file entries.

WHAT WAS THE VA'S DATA ANALYST ANALYZING? (05-31-06)   Veterans' advocate Hugh Cox takes a look at this question.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST VA FOR DATA THEFT (05-31-06)   Asks about $1,000 per veteran and costs of credit monitoring services.

VA FIRES ANALYST RESPONSIBLE FOR DATA THEFT (05-31-06)   60-year-old GS-14 gets the boot.

VA OFFICIAL STEPS DOWN AFTER DATA HEIST (05-30-06)   Michael H. McLendon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, resigns.

WHAT DATA THIEVES DIDN'T STEAL FROM VETERANS (05-28-06)   "I'm not aware of any misuse of the veterans' information."

NICHOLSON HOLDS FIRM IN LOST-RECORDS STORM (05-27-06)   Some lawmakers incensed over theft of veterans' info.

GRAND THEFT LAPTOP (05-27-06)    How can security continue to be so frustratingly slipshod?

VA OUTLINES DATA SECURITY UPGRADES (05-27-06)   Nicholson clamps down on VA information security supervisors.

VA DATA HEIST TIMELINE (05-26-06)   Who knew what and when.

DATA HEIST OLD NEWS -- FOUR YEARS AGO A REPORTER BOUGHT USED HARD DRIVES CONTAINING VA PATIENT RECORDS (05-26-06)

VA DATA HEIST DISCOVERED THROUGH OFFICE GOSSIP -- OFFERS $50K REWARD (05-26-06)   Nicholson blames analyst who had been taking data home for three years.

WATCH NICHOLSON'S TESTIMONY ON VA DATA HEIST BEFORE THE JOINT SENATE COMMITTEE (05-25-06)   Hearing archived on C-Span.

NICHOLSON ADMITS STOLEN DATA CONTAINED DISABILITY CODES OF NEARLY 3 MILLION VETS (05-25-06)   Says this blunder could cost the VA as much as $500 million.

VA SECRETARY NICHOLSON'S "MAD AS HELL" -- TELLS CONGRESS HE'LL TAKE "DECISIVE ACTION" (05-25-06)   Says there is no excuse for this security breach and he's unable to explain actions of others at VA.

UPDATE: EVEN U.S. SENATORS GET A RECORDING AT THE VA DATA HEIST HOTLINE (05-25-06)   Just ask Navy veteran Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware.

UPDATE: VA TO SHIFT UP TO $25 MILLION TO HANDLE DATA THEFT INQUIRIES (05-25-06)   Most will go to call centers -- Wouldn't it be easier just to give every veteran $1 million?

UPDATE: SENATE HEARING ON VA DATA HEIST NOW INCLUDES HOMELAND SECURITY (05-25-06)   Hearing will be joint Veterans' Affairs / Homeland Security review -- Watch the live webcast.

UPDATE: SEN. LEAHY SAYS VA SECRETARY NICHOLSON SHOULD CONSIDER RESIGNING (05-24-06)   Nicholson says he's "outraged" about data heist.

UPDATE: LATEST ON VA DATA HEIST (05-24-06)   VA warned before about data security -- VA slow to report theft -- VFW wants VA to cover costs to vets -- VVA wants to know why VA had info on "non-VA" vets.

UPDATE: SENATE VETS' COMMITTEE TO HOLD EMERGENCY HEARING ON LOST VA DATA (05-24-06)   Hearing will begin at 10am Eastern, Thursday, May 25.  Be sure to watch the live webcast.

UPDATE: REP. LANE EVANS ASKS VA'S INSPECTOR GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE DATA HEIST (05-24-06)   Wants to know why data analyst had vets' information and what he was doing with it.

UPDATE: MORE ON VA DATA HEIST -- INFORMATION KEPT SECRET FOR 19 DAYS -- AND, WHAT WAS THERE TO ANALYZE? -- THE MORE WE LEARN, THE LESS IT MAKES SENSE (05-23-06)   Latest information with back links to all stories.

UPDATE: LATEST ON VA DATA THEFT -- VA'S EXPLANATION FULL OF HOLES -- DIGITAL INCOMPETENCE (05-23-06)

UPDATE: OMB TELLS ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO REVIEW PERSONAL DATA PROTECTIONS (05-23-06)

UPDATE: VA MUST DO MORE TO HELP PROTECT VETERANS FROM IDENTITY THEFT (05-23-06)   VA should pay for credit reports for at least one year.

UPDATE: WHO'S ON THE VA'S STOLEN DATA DISK? -- ALL LIVING VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED AND BEEN DISCHARGED SINCE 1976 (05-23-06)

UPDATE: VA ANSWERS QUESTIONS AND GIVES ADVICE TO VETERANS WHOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION MAY HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED (05-22-06)

UPDATE: STOLEN VA DISK CONTAINS INFO ON 26.5 MILLION VETS -- VA SETS UP ASSISTANCE WEB SITE AND TELEPHONE HOTLINE (05-22-06)

VA COMPUTER DISK STOLEN -- CONTAINS INFO ON MILLIONS OF VETS INCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND DISABILITY RATINGS (05-22-06)   Computer disk with personal information about millions of U.S. veterans was stolen from the home of a senior Veterans Affairs official.