An example of why people have relaxed on the VA laptop theft issue
on June 18th, 2006 at 12:05 pmThis is exactly what I was talking about when I admonished Pete at Spire Security on his post about the VA data theft not being a big deal and that we should not worry.
First, you have the VA Secretary James Nicholson telling Congress that the harddrive on the stolen laptop was most likely erased because it fits the modus operandi of laptop thefts that had occured in the area.
So the VA Secretary wants to ease the minds of the people by telling them that the data was likely erased. Well, I guess that is his job, and it verywell may be true. It still does not ease my mind.
But the bigger point is the the title and first paragraph CNN used for the story:
Agency chief: Data on stolen VA laptop may have been erased
Thieves may have erased personal data on millions of veterans that was on a laptop they stole, the secretary of veterans affairs said Thursday.
“Man, that’s a relief! I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that anymore!” That was what the busy veteran said who did not have the time to read the entire story. But if he had read just one more paragraph, he would have read this:
At least, that’s the burglars’ modus operandi, Secretary James Nicholson said at a hearing before the House Government Reform Committee.
Not so reassuring now, is it? The beginning of this article is very deceiving. I am not saying it was done maliciously. It was simply designed to grab attention. Everyone was writing stories about the theft. People were getting bored with it. But write a quick blurb about the fact that the data may have been erased, and you get people to go to your page and maybe click your ads. Nothing wrong with catchy taglines, but this really can cause problems by making people stop putting pressure on the VA.
Not to mention the fact that the “At least” paragraph is bogus, since Secretary Nicholson also says the theives “may have been the same ones who committed similar burglaries in the area.”
Do not relax, people! Do not relax, VA! Fix this problem. Don’t give me a bunch of political crap. I want visible results!
Vet
MAY have been erased? Either it was or it was not. Why was this individual allowed to take Gov. property home? Is this individual going to be prosecuted?
What hope is there really for the convoluted mess that the US government is when the bureaucracy is fractured, anal, lacking leadership and vision, and hampered by politics? Plus, most of the decision makers in government would not know a good IT security solution of it landed on their head. Good luck.