GAO says VA still lacks security, data at risk for exposure
HIPAA Weekly Advisor, October 1, 2007
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Despite the fact that it has been a year since the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) security breach compromised the personal and health information of more than 26 million veterans, the VA has yet to implement many of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and internally recommended security measures, according to a September 19 Associated Press (AP) article.
The findings of the GAO audit, released September 19, found more than 100 missing information technology-related items, including 53 computers that may have stored sensitive data, according to SC Magazine. To date, "VA has implemented two of 22 recommendations made by its own inspector general, and two of four recommendations from the GAO", according to the article.
"Until VA addresses recommendations to resolve identified weaknesses, it will have limited assurance that it can adequately protect its systems and information," the GAO said, according to the AP.
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