Theft of VA Laptop Puts 616 Veterans' Info at Risk

A laptop belonging to a Department of Veterans Affairs contractor has been stolen. According to InformationWeek, the unencrypted laptop, which was stolen on April 22, contained the Social Security numbers and other information of 616 veterans.

Immediately upon discovering the theft, the contractor disabled both the user account and server access from the laptop. The VA says there is no evidence that the data has been breached.

The agency has had a heck of a time with security breaches. Last year, the VA shelled out $20 million in a settlement with veterans whose identities were compromised in the theft of a laptop loaded with Social Security numbers and other sensitive data.