Evans ?Appalled? by Administration?s Lack of Action to Protect Veterans? Data;

Requests Independent Investigation

Washington, D.C. ? Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), Ranking Democratic Member of the House Veterans? Affairs Committee, today called on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to launch an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs? (VA) efforts, or lack thereof, to protect veterans? sensitive information and strengthen its information security practices.

Evans? request for an independent GAO investigation and review of VA?s data security practices follows previous GAO information technology recommendations which VA ?has ignored or stonewalled,? according to Evans.  It comes in the wake of the recent theft of sensitive data affecting 26.5 million veterans and an unknown number of activated military servicemembers.

?This data breach affects many Americans who must now be concerned about identity theft and other sensitive matters,? said Evans. ?The Administration and VA leadership have been warned repeatedly since 2001 about potential information security problems.  They failed to heed the warnings, they failed to implement reasonable recommendations, and now they have failed veterans,? Evans continued. 

?I, and certainly many other Americans, am appalled by the Administration?s lack of action to provide relief in this matter.  The anxiety, stress and fear brought about by the theft of veterans? personal information are being compounded by a White House that is strangely and callously silent on this matter,? said Evans, who added that Congress ?must do its job as well.?

In addition to his GAO request, Evans has also requested the VA?s Inspector General perform an expedited investigation into the VA data breach and procedures with respect to information and cyber security.  He is working with Rep. John Salazar (D-CO) and other House Members on legislation to provide relief to those veterans and servicemembers affected by the VA data breach and on related data security concerns.

Evans? letter to GAO is attached below.

###

June 6, 2006

Honorable David M. Walker

Comptroller General

Government Accountability Office

441 G Street, NW

Washington, DC  20548

Dear Mr. Walker:

On May 22, 2006, the Department of Veterans Affairs publicly revealed the possible compromise of personal data relating to over 26.5 million veterans.  This revelation impacts one in every 11 Americans who must now maintain constant vigil to protect their personal identities against theft.  This problem did not arise without notice ? there seem to have been many harbingers of potential problems at VA with regard to information security since 2001.  Some of these revelations spring from a previous GAO review of this topic, where only one of four recommendations was implemented by the agency (GAO-02-703, Recommendations on Veterans Affairs Information Technology).  Other, third-party agencies have also given low marks to VA for its information security management.  The warnings were many, but VA actions were few.

I request GAO review VA?s response to reasonable recommendations to strengthen its information security practices.  Please detail those recommendations and VA?s implementation effort or response.  Consider mitigating circumstances.  Additionally, please review and comment on all changes to information security management policy or regulation at VA subsequent to the alleged theft of data on May 3, 2006, and detail all attempts by the agency to update its information policy.  Finally, review all attempts to strengthen information security management subsequent to the data theft and provide an assessment of the likelihood of success of those efforts.

The point of contact for this issue is Mr. Len Sistek at 202-225-9756.   We appreciate your prompt action on this matter.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          /s/

                                                          LANE EVANS

                                                          Ranking Democratic Member
 

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