“While there are no new startling conclusions in the report,” Rowan said, “what is distressing to us are the facts, well-documented in this report, that IT vulnerabilities have been ignored for far too long by top officials at the VA, and that remediation efforts have been spotty and ineffective.

“The initial failures to comprehend the potential extent of the data loss in the wake of the theft of a laptop and external hard drive from the home of a long-time VA employee, and the ensuing attempts at damage control at a series of congressional hearings, have illuminated an issue that warrants immediate attention, particularly in regard to accountability measures,” Rowan, in Tucson to attend VVA’s National Leadership Conference, said.   

“Secretary Nicholson is to be commended for his determination to ‘plug the holes’ that have been neglected for too many years,” Rowan said. “We fear that the actions taken by and planned by the Secretary don’t go far enough.  To insure that veterans’ personal data really are secure, an independent oversight entity must be created, under the jurisdiction of the courts, to monitor compliance with new and revised policies and procedures. 

“Veterans – and all Americans – must be assured that their personal information held by agencies of government is secure against inappropriate use or illegal access by agencies within government as well as outside entities,” Rowan said.  “Veterans, active-duty service members, and all citizens deserve no less.”

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VVA's point of contact for additional information is Rick Weidman at 301-996-8557. Visit VVA’s Website at http//www.vva.org