Printer Friendly Page
---------------
VA Secretary Announces Agreement on Data Breach
Analysis
August 9, 2006
ID Analytics to Provide Services to Department
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson today
announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has entered into an
agreement with a company that will provide free data breach analysis
services to VA to ensure that information contained on computer
equipment stolen in May from a VA employee’s home – and later recovered
by law enforcement – was not compromised.
ID Analytics, a California-based company, will conduct the analysis
across multiple industries to detect patterns of misuse and determine
whether or not there is any suspicious activity specifically related to
this computer equipment theft. The company will provide VA an initial
analysis, and will then continue to offer its assessments on a quarterly
basis.
“Protecting veterans from fraud and abuse remains an important priority
for VA,” said Secretary Nicholson. “Data breach analysis will provide VA
with additional assurances that veterans’ personal information remains
unharmed.”
On July 13, the FBI indicated it is highly confident the data stored on
the recovered computer equipment was not accessed or compromised. On
August 5, Montgomery County, Md., Police announced the arrests of two
men they believe are responsible for the theft. According to law
enforcement authorities, the arrested men did not specifically target
the computer equipment. Authorities also provided reassurances that the
information was not compromised.
Prior to the arrests, VA indicated that, out of an abundance of caution
and to further safeguard the recovered information, the Department would
conduct data breach analysis. VA’s agreement with ID Analytics fulfills
this commitment.
ID Analytics’ real-time system comprises more than three billion
identity elements contributed by its members, which include the largest
U.S. industry leaders from across the credit card, wireless
telecommunications, and instant lending industries. ID Analytics’
services are used daily by more than half the credit and retail card
issuer market in the United States, as well as leading wireless and
online consumer finance companies.
Secretary Nicholson also reiterated VA’s commitment to improving the
Department’s information technology and cyber security policies and
procedures.
“VA remains unwavering in its resolve to become the leader in protecting
personal information, training and educating our employees in best
practices, and establishing a culture that always puts the safekeeping
of veterans’ personal information first,” Nicholson said.
---------------
Larry Scott
