Adam Levine reports: The Department of Veterans Affairs has suspended a contractor for failing to follow the department’s policies for securing sensitive data about patients, the department said. A routine inspection revealed that a transcription contractor, with access to information including name, Social Security number and diagnosis, was using computers that did not follow guidelines…
Category: Government Sector
Ca: Privacy commissioner may investigate City of Regina privacy breach
Joe Couture reports: Contrary to statements made by a City of Regina executive, the Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner has not yet decided whether or not to undertake a formal investigation into the breach of privacy announced by the city yesterday. Read more in the Leader-Post
UK: ‘Security breach’ at jobseeker centre
Hannah Crown reports: A centre for the unemployed has been accused of mismanagement, a chronic shortage of facilities and personal security breaches. Between 15 and 30 unemployed people use the ATS centre, at 377 North Circular Road, Palmers Green, which provides programmes of training and work experience placements for people on Jobseeker’s Allowance for up…
SoCal mailman accused of stealing ID papers, gifts
A mail carrier in San Diego County is accused of stealing dozens of gift cards, debit cards and Social Security documents sent through the mail. The Sheriff’s Department said Monday that Allen Pitman is suspected of stealing the mail over the last four years while working for the U.S. Postal Service in Santee. Read more…
Ca: City of Regina apologizes for accidentally releasing private information
The City of Regina says it is retraining staff after an employee accidentally released the private information of 1,000 citizens and city workers. Officials admit someone from the financial services department released data late last year that included partial names, social insurance numbers, licence plate numbers, and property tax and utility account numbers. The information…
Government computers hacked; personal info stolen
AP is reporting that Tom Waters, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3290, is claiming that hackers broke into the Federal Aviation Administration’s computer system last week and accessed two files, one of which had names and Social Security numbers of 45,000 employees and retirees. The other file reportedly had…