Comments on: Veterans Affairs faulted in data theft

Series of missteps led to exposure of data on millions, held up post-theft response, scathing report finds.

[tsteele93]

And this surprises who?

If you have dealt with the VA, why would this report surprise you in any way?

You got that right

Nothing surprises me about this situation. It's more
http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/551/43/
incredible that people have any faith in these government branches at all.

[tsteele93]

And this surprises who?

If you have dealt with the VA, why would this report surprise you in any way?

You got that right

Nothing surprises me about this situation. It's more
http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/551/43/
incredible that people have any faith in these government branches at all.

[WJeansonne]

Big Government is Bad Thing

This only reinforces the argument to downsize the federal government, as well as growing local and state governments. Moreover, these bureaucrats don't know s**t from shinola, much less best practices in computer and physical security.

[jomac8]

downsizeDC

You are right, and there is something you can do about it. Goto downsizeDC.com (or .org) and volunteer. Be involved.

[marileev]

Accoutability

Government agencies like the VA need to be as accountable as say Government asks the private sector to be http://www.iwantmyess.com/?p=79

Would a hospital who leaked ALL of its patient info still be in business without significant reprocussions?

[WJeansonne]

Big Government is Bad Thing

This only reinforces the argument to downsize the federal government, as well as growing local and state governments. Moreover, these bureaucrats don't know s**t from shinola, much less best practices in computer and physical security.

[jomac8]

downsizeDC

You are right, and there is something you can do about it. Goto downsizeDC.com (or .org) and volunteer. Be involved.

[marileev]

Accoutability

Government agencies like the VA need to be as accountable as say Government asks the private sector to be http://www.iwantmyess.com/?p=79

Would a hospital who leaked ALL of its patient info still be in business without significant reprocussions?

[J. Warren]

And the thief?...

...is not a party in this?

Lot's of blame to spread around here. Er, who -was- that thief responsible for "breaking and entering", anyway?

[J. Warren]

And the thief?...

...is not a party in this?

Lot's of blame to spread around here. Er, who -was- that thief responsible for "breaking and entering", anyway?

[steve96]

Funny-Weitech released Combodock

The new ComboDock lets investigators copy data from 3.5-inch hard drives without writing any data back to the original drive.

So how can the lying bums in Washington say the data was not retrieved??

[davearonson]

Same old same old

Same way they tell the rest of the lies that are the stock-in-trade of all bureaucrats and politicians. We unhappy few know how full-of-it they are, but the vast baa-ing flocks will swallow it wholesale and vote the bastards back in.

[steve96]

Funny-Weitech released Combodock

The new ComboDock lets investigators copy data from 3.5-inch hard drives without writing any data back to the original drive.

So how can the lying bums in Washington say the data was not retrieved??

[davearonson]

Same old same old

Same way they tell the rest of the lies that are the stock-in-trade of all bureaucrats and politicians. We unhappy few know how full-of-it they are, but the vast baa-ing flocks will swallow it wholesale and vote the bastards back in.

[GTOfan]

it's still criminal

Eventually I hope our government makes it a criminal offense to copy a database of private data onto a laptop. These databases need to be secured in a central vault that can only be accessed a) while in the building and b) with serious security clearance.

For those who want to conduct statistical analysis or other innocuous tests, a subset of the complete database that does not include personal information should be made available to employees. NO ONE needs SS numbers to conduct statistical experiments, as this guy was doing.

[mveronica]

Be proactive...don't wait for someone else to fix things

Exactly! I agree...people as well as computers nowadays are gathering more information than they need about us and then irresponsibly placing that information into huge unsecured and even mobile devices to maximize opportunity for theft. Not only should they make it a criminal offense, companies AND our government should start taking some security measures themselves to show some action.

People should be educated about the different ways they are vulnerable http://www.essentialsecurity.com/Documents/article1.htm and also learn how to protect themselves against such vulnerabilities. http://www.essentialsecurity.com/products.htm

[GTOfan]

it's still criminal

Eventually I hope our government makes it a criminal offense to copy a database of private data onto a laptop. These databases need to be secured in a central vault that can only be accessed a) while in the building and b) with serious security clearance.

For those who want to conduct statistical analysis or other innocuous tests, a subset of the complete database that does not include personal information should be made available to employees. NO ONE needs SS numbers to conduct statistical experiments, as this guy was doing.

[mveronica]

Be proactive...don't wait for someone else to fix things

Exactly! I agree...people as well as computers nowadays are gathering more information than they need about us and then irresponsibly placing that information into huge unsecured and even mobile devices to maximize opportunity for theft. Not only should they make it a criminal offense, companies AND our government should start taking some security measures themselves to show some action.

People should be educated about the different ways they are vulnerable http://www.essentialsecurity.com/Documents/article1.htm and also learn how to protect themselves against such vulnerabilities. http://www.essentialsecurity.com/products.htm

[mrmiata7]

Va Data "loss"

With the height of the illegal immigration debate occuring and the government granting amnesty to illegal aliens for fraudulently using ssn's I wouldn't be surprised if LaRaza, Mecha or a hundred other groups have our ssn's and are giving them to illegal aliens to expedite their legalization compliments of the defacto Mexican government in DC. They will sell out even veterans to pander to their illegal alien brothers and sisters.

[mrmiata7]

Va Data "loss"

With the height of the illegal immigration debate occuring and the government granting amnesty to illegal aliens for fraudulently using ssn's I wouldn't be surprised if LaRaza, Mecha or a hundred other groups have our ssn's and are giving them to illegal aliens to expedite their legalization compliments of the defacto Mexican government in DC. They will sell out even veterans to pander to their illegal alien brothers and sisters.

[209979377489953107664053243186]

getting proactive

The big point here is that this incident is a catalyst for proving the necessity for protecting mobile information, be it on a laptop, USB device or email. Data in transit is always at risk of being intercepted and stolen, and if that is important to you, then you and your agency/company must be proactice in protection valuable information. Easy solution are available and often free to try, like Taceo. http://www.essentialsecurity.com/products.htm

[209979377489953107664053243186]

getting proactive

The big point here is that this incident is a catalyst for proving the necessity for protecting mobile information, be it on a laptop, USB device or email. Data in transit is always at risk of being intercepted and stolen, and if that is important to you, then you and your agency/company must be proactice in protection valuable information. Easy solution are available and often free to try, like Taceo. http://www.essentialsecurity.com/products.htm

[homer_d]

False sense of security

Anyone noticed the repeated mantra of "accessed" and "compromised" when referring to the data on recovered pc's/laptops?? That's because the authorities can't say the data wasn't forensically copied to another device for analysis at the thief's leisure. Meanwhile, John/Jane Doe are given a completely false sense of security!! The VA then revoked the free credit monitoring offer.

[homer_d]

False sense of security

Anyone noticed the repeated mantra of "accessed" and "compromised" when referring to the data on recovered pc's/laptops?? That's because the authorities can't say the data wasn't forensically copied to another device for analysis at the thief's leisure. Meanwhile, John/Jane Doe are given a completely false sense of security!! The VA then revoked the free credit monitoring offer.

[RobinSzcz]

veteran info theft no accident

Has anyone considered that somebody 'high up' on the political food chain wanted the information without leaving a 'paper trai' to them? Knowing the whereabouts of every able-bodied ex-GI would be of great knowledge to someone who anticipates a situation of martial law in the not-to-distant future. The coincidence that this worker just happened to take the data home and just happened to have his computer stolen is a little more than simply far-fetched. It's ludicrous.
If we put all the pieces in place, the wire-tapping, the attempted take-over (not decided yet?) of each State's National Guard, the Federal ID, the preservation of Internment Camps, the Fence on the Mexican border (us in or them out), the requisite passport to leave or enter (try getting one lately), the Shadow Budget (how much is being spent inside America?), and the promise of bigger future attacks, all spell disaster on the horizon. It's as if these people in our current Administration know something we don't and are preparing to NOT have to step out of office in 08. It is interesting that pulonium 210 is commonly used as a trigger for nuclear weapons, among other things. Is something coming? Do they have advance warning? What is really going on? Should we open our eyes or continue to play video games.?

[RobinSzcz]

veteran info theft no accident

Has anyone considered that somebody 'high up' on the political food chain wanted the information without leaving a 'paper trai' to them? Knowing the whereabouts of every able-bodied ex-GI would be of great knowledge to someone who anticipates a situation of martial law in the not-to-distant future. The coincidence that this worker just happened to take the data home and just happened to have his computer stolen is a little more than simply far-fetched. It's ludicrous.
If we put all the pieces in place, the wire-tapping, the attempted take-over (not decided yet?) of each State's National Guard, the Federal ID, the preservation of Internment Camps, the Fence on the Mexican border (us in or them out), the requisite passport to leave or enter (try getting one lately), the Shadow Budget (how much is being spent inside America?), and the promise of bigger future attacks, all spell disaster on the horizon. It's as if these people in our current Administration know something we don't and are preparing to NOT have to step out of office in 08. It is interesting that pulonium 210 is commonly used as a trigger for nuclear weapons, among other things. Is something coming? Do they have advance warning? What is really going on? Should we open our eyes or continue to play video games.?