In testimony last week before the House Government Reform Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs secretary James Nicholson said the agency would suspend telework until investigations into the loss of personal data on millions of veterans and active duty personnel as well as an information security assessment are complete.
He announced a series of directives aimed at institutionalizing tighter information controls, one of which requires the under secretary for benefits to suspend the Veterans Benefits Administration employees from working on claims files from alternative work sites.
Nicholson said the suspension would continue until VBA has adequate policies, procedures and the physical means to safeguard files from theft, loss, or unauthorized disclosure.
He also ordered a review of all laptops to ensure security and virus software are current, which includes purging “any unauthorized information or software,” and said no personal computer equipment would be granted access to VA’s virtual private network or be used for official business.
All VA employees have been instructed to undergo privacy and cyber security training by June 30.
