VA Worker Had OK for Data Later Stolen

Full story: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060629/D8IHK8H80.html

VA Worker Had OK for Data Later Stolen
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Jun 28, 11:07 PM (ET)

By HOPE YEN

(AP) Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., left, and James Walsh, R-N.Y. talk on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, June 27,...
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Veterans Affairs worker faulted for losing veterans' personal information had permission to access millions of Social Security numbers on a laptop from home, agency documents obtained by The Associated Press show.

Separately, President Bush on Wednesday asked Congress for $160.5 million for credit monitoring for millions of veterans affected by the May 3 burglary. He proposed tapping dollars set aside but not used yet for food stamps, student loans and trade assistance for farmers.


Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., left, and James Walsh, R-N.Y. talk on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, June 27, 2006 during a House hearing to discuss the Veterans Administration's data theft. Rep. Walsh chastised the VA for waiting three weeks to notify veterans about the theft, saying "This represents a significant lapse of time that could have been vital to protect identity theft,".(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

The documents show that the data analyst, whose name was being withheld, had approval as early as Sept. 5, 2002, to use special software at home that was designed to manipulate large amounts of data.

A separate agreement, dated Feb. 5, 2002, from the office of the assistant secretary for policy and planning, allowed the worker to access Social Security numbers for millions of veterans.

A third document, also issued in 2002, gave the analyst permission to take a laptop computer and accessories for work outside of the VA building.

"These data are protected under the Privacy Act," one document states. The analyst is the "lead programmer within the Policy Analysis Service and as such needs access to real Social Security numbers."

The department said last month it was in the process of firing the data analyst, who is now challenging the dismissal.

The department's documents raise questions as to whether top officials condoned a practice that led to a theft with the potential to affect 26.5 million veterans and active-duty troops.

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson and others were to testify Thursday before a House committee investigating the government's largest security breach involving Social Security numbers.

He should not had been authorized to take that data off the work-site. PERIOD It doesn't make any difference if the person is the lead programmer. His job should be performed at the work-site.

The individual(s) that should be fired are the ones that authorized it.

frigging constant fuck ups are pretty damn expensive. There's money that could have been better spent.

what the hell do they need $160 Million for? one phone call and i have all 3 bureaus monitoring EVERYTHING that goes on with my accounts for 90 days since this happened!

for FREE!

Actually, I think it was you who advised me to do so. Thanks! :)

out there in the tall grass, frankly Uncle Sug it's way too late to put the worms back in the can. And if you all can't keep my personal info minimally protected, why the hell should I believe you all will do even a adequate job of 'monitoring' my credit history. Further, at this point, I'm beginning to think this is just another excuse to snoop - not that you all really need one.

Use that money as it first was meant to be used. I'll monitor my credit history, thank you.

No, the analyst shouldn't be fired, especially if he did report the theft immediately. The ass clowns who should be dropped off the edge of the earth are the ones who hid this faux pas for close to a month. But then, business as usual - punish the innocent; promote the guilty.

that he had permission to take the data home, because he'd been doing it for 4 years. You don't telecommute for 4 years without permission! Nicholson and his minions lied about it to cover their incompetent asses.