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2 Separate Security Incidents Put VA Medical Records at Risk

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have had 2 major issues with potentially exposing medical records to security threats. According to an article in Tampa's ABC Action News, both these instances demonstrate how the VA has failed to upkeep proper safeguards. Both veterans with disabilities and "standard" military retirees have been put at risk.

The VA Inspector General (IG) discovered employees, of an IT contractor, gained access into the VA's computer system without the proper security clearances, in West Virginia, Missouri, and Delaware. That contractor worked at over 140 VA medical facilities and detained federal contracts valued at over $5 million.

Last May, one of their employees quit, but it took the VA 6 months to eliminate his access to the VA's IT system. IG auditors also found that 10 out of the 16 contractor's employees were never given background checks prior to being given access to the VA computer network.

Last month it was reported that the VA had been issuing identification cards to almost 150,000 federal contractors and their employees without ever checking to determine if those cards were being issued to suspected terrorists. IG inspectors questioned the authenticity of many of the ID documents applicants submitted for those credentials.

To date the IG reported no "evidence of damage from these lapses." Re-issuing the ID cards, however, will likely cost the VA near $6.7 million.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.