***VIDEO FILE INCLUDED*** Chairwoman Susie Lee Leads First-Ever Hearing on Cybersecurity Challenges at VA
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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, led a hearing to assess the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cybersecurity program and policies, and the safeguarding of veterans' private medical information.
As Rep. Lee notes, this was the first-ever hearing held by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee broadly assessing cybersecurity management at VA:
"In searching this Committee's history, we could not find evidence that there has ever been a broad oversight hearing examining cybersecurity management challenges at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Subcommittee on Technology Modernization is going to chart a new course today."
Rep. Lee highlighted the importance of proper oversight to safeguard veterans' private medical information and VA's information technology systems, particularly because VA operates the largest health care system in the country:
"Throughout the world, healthcare institutions have been breached and extorted and data have been held hostage or stolen. Almost daily there are news reports or notifications by hospitals, insurance companies, and other entities that there has been a breach and that data may have been compromised.
"At the same time the reliance on electronic personal data, the electronic sharing of that data, and the modernization of systems to support health, benefits, and public service delivery is growing. As this reliance on technology increases so does risk. Therefore, it only makes sense that one of our country's largest providers of healthcare and benefits should be at the forefront of addressing these risks."
Finally, Rep. Lee emphasized the work done by the House Veterans Affairs' Committee—to serve America's veterans and ensure they are getting the care, resources, and support they earned by bravely serving our country:
"As we encourage veterans to use VA resources, and most especially to find support and care for wounds both visible and hidden, VA must show that it is secure, can be trusted, and that it has the tools, policy, and leadership to protect veterans' health data and personal information. This is all a part of the sacred obligation we have made to those who have served."
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this hearing is to assess how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages its cybersecurity program, including controlling access to confidential data, supply-chain risk management, and the safeguarding of its information technology assets. The hearing will examine ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and VA's response to those challenges.
As Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, Rep. Lee has helped lead the oversight of VA's electronic health records implementation, patient scheduling system, and other important policies and programs that are vital to the health care of America's veterans.
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